Ecology,
Mythology, Technology
Dublin
15 residents will have the perfect opportunity to view the best of Irish
craftwork for the next six weeks as the much-lauded “Ecology,
Mythology, Technology” exhibition comes to Farmleigh Gallery.
The work that forms the exhibition was produced by twenty-four designers
and makers from disciplines ranging from furniture and product design
to textile art and wood-turning.
The exhibition was launched in October 2007 and has toured extensively
since, including a trip Stateside. It highlights three important aspects
of modern day life – ecology, or our relationship with the environment;
mythology, or our recognition of the legacy of the past; and technology,
the means we use to arrive at the end product.
“In the drive to be new and innovative, we sometimes forget about
form and function,' says curator, Brian Kennedy. “People often
view craft as ebbing purely about the material or the function rather
than about the concept.” This exhibition affords Ireland's design
pioneers the opportunity to put into practice ideas which have been
developed within the architectural field over the last ten years.
“Looking at this gathering of artistic excellence and expertise,
at this impressive demonstration of skill, I am struck by how far crafts
have come in so short a period of time and how much hope that gives
us for the future,” said John McGuinness T.D. Minister for Trade
and Commerce. “Not so long ago crafts were the poor relation to
the arts. Now they are indistinguishable. Irish craft is now collected
for its artistic value as well as its intrinsic worth.”
Certainly, due to the proactive approach of the Crafts Council of Ireland
(CCOI), the industry has become an important source of employment and
wealth generation, with over 3500 craftspeople practising in Ireland.
In 2005, consumers spent some €121 million on craft products and
craft enterprises exported products worth a further €16 million.
It is of strategic importance both as a wealth generator and as an ambassador
for Irish creativity abroad.
Irish craftwork is somewhat unique in a European milieu where mass production
has become the byword. Our work is highly stylised and reflects admirably
our ecology, mythology and technology. We have embraced the new technology,
for sure, but have at the same time delved deeply into our rich tradition
of craftsmanship to produce works that reflect the importance of artistry.
CCOI’s exhibitions manager Vincent O’Shea, who has brought
this exhibition to many far-flung places is keen for Dublin 15 residents
to avail of this God-given opportunity to view the best of Irish craftwork.
“We brought the show to America and people travelled many hundreds
of miles to see it,” he says. “There are some fantastic
pieces in this exhibition based both on the past and the future and
our environmental responsibilities. I hope people in Dublin 15 will
come down in their droves to the beautiful setting of Farmleigh to view
this exhibition while they have the opportunity. And of course it is
totally free!”
“Ecology, Mythology, Technology,” curated by Brian Kennedy
and organised by the Crafts Council of Ireland will feature at the Gallery,
Farmleigh from 15th May to 29th June.
Admission, as the man said, is free.
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