Cork, Ireland
European Culture Capital
Cork has been selected by the European Union as culture capital for
2005. It is an exciting time for the city as it showcases its many
genres to the visiting art public.
The port city traces its history back to the days of the Vikings who
raided hoping to locate Celtic gold. Cork owes much to the maritime
visitors, such as the craft-guilds from the Vikings, language
from the Elizabethans, trade and banking know-how from the Dutch,
sail-making and silver-work from the Huguenots and so much more
enriching the Irish culture of Cork.
The Director of Cork 2005, John Kennedy, proclaims that 2005, "will
be truly extraordinary, with a program that reflects Cork, Ireland
and Europe. As the smallest city ever to be awarded this prestigious
designation, Cork faced the challenge of taking its place alongside
some of the great European cities that have previously held the
title." Cities such as Lille and
Genoa. He adds, "Cork has answered
that challenge emphatically in its own unique and personal way."
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Seán Martin, proudly
announced that "it is hugely appropriate that now, as Cork is about
to experience a great era of rejuvenation, the brilliant program
which the team at Cork 2005 have created comes to fruition alongside
the restored and enhanced cityscape of Cork Streets. As Cork 2005
welcomes Europe [and the world] we as a city and a people are ready
to embrace our year as European Capital of Culture."
In a wonderful spirit of inclusion the organizers
of Cork 2005 invited the city, country and continent to submit ideas
and received over 2,000 suggestions for the program they would
create. It is a novel approach to emphasize, that while the city is
European Culture Capital for a year, it is still part of Ireland and Europe
and the events should reflect this as well as the vibrancy and
talent of the people of Cork. The organizers point out that over
seventy percent of the activities planned derive directly from their
public request for creative ideas.
Eighteen Turns
Title: Eighteen Turns
Artist: Daniel Libeskind, Architect with Arup.
Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2001
Photographer: Hélène Binet
Courtesy of cite
Image Courtesy: Cork 2005
Daniel Libeskind, who is an architect with Arup, designed Eighteen Turns, a pavilion that has been loaned to Cork 2005.
The pavilion was designed for the Serpentine Gallery of London in 2001. Eighteen Turns is said to "capture the experience of the magic
and mystery of architecture" as it playfully twists and turns.
Daniel Libeskind is currently the Frank O. Gehry Chair at
the University of Toronto. The noted architect will lecture in Cork during 2005.
Eighteen Turns will be situated in Fitzgerald Park and will be the host
to numerous activities throughout Cork 2005.
The Knitting Map
With the world wide fame of Irish creativity
with yarn, textile art is a must inclusion in Cork 2005.
Fabric and technology will combine to create The Knitting Map
throughout the duration of Cork 2005 utilizing satellites and a recently formed community of
knitters. Somewhere in the stratosphere is a satellite that is focused on
Cork. The technology will be simulated into a knitting pattern and the
knitters will get to work creating a map reflecting the changing activities
and face of Cork during 2005. The Knitting Map will be found at the
City Centre.
Enlargement! Bringing the New Europe to Cork
In homage to the recent expansion of the European Union Enlargement!
illustrates the talents of various contemporary artists throughout the year.
Each month a new country will be featured, beginning in January with Estonian
artists Kelti Tiitsar and Kirsti Paap and ending in November/December
featuring the Irish with the talents of Susan O'Toole, Hammond Journeaux, Frank
Russell and John Minihan.
In between, Hungary, Latvia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovak Republic,
Cyprus, Czech Republic and Malta will all participate in a
cross-disciplinary genre that is meant to be both inspiring and educational.
James Barry (1741-1806)
The Irish artist, James Barry, spent much of his life working in
England. He was a close friend of the philosopher Edmund Burke, who not
only encouraged Barry to move to England, but provided the funds for the
artist to spend time in Europe.
At the time portraiture was a popular genre. Barry, however, preferred to
include moral messages within the subjects he painted. Like many noted
artists he did paint several self-portraits.
The Crawford Municipal Gallery will be the home to this exhibit that
contains loans from Ireland, Europe and North America. A highlight is
the inclusion of recently discovered works by Barry.
Title: James Barry Self Portrait in Character of Timanthes
Artist: James Barry, [Irish, 1741-1806]
Image Supplied by the National Gallery of Ireland
Image Courtesy: Crawford Municipal Art Gallery and Cork 2005
The exhibition will continue into 2006, concluding on the bicentenary of James Barry's Death on February 22, 2006 with an
international academic conference.
Through the Looking Glass
Title: Through the Looking Glass: Girl with Bears
Artist: Wendy McMurdo
Royal Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
Image Courtesy: Cork 2005
Alice in Wonderland is an excellent example of children's literature in which the child queries her own self. Photographers have attempted to capture
this experience through their lens. At the Lewis Glucksman Gallery will be an exhibit
that examines children through contemporary art photography. Featured
artists include Rineke Dijkstra, Anna Gaskell, Martin Healy, Wendy McMurdo, David Farrell and more.
C2
Title: C2 an Exhibit at the
Crawford Municipal Art Gallery
Image Courtesy: Cork 2005
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The Crawford Municipal Art Gallery will
exhibit C2, which celebrates the contemporary artists who
have ties to Cork, whether the place of their birth, residence or
other. Paintings, Drawings, Prints, Sculptures and Digital Media
will all form part of C2. |
The Crawford Municipal Art Gallery will also be the home of
Airgeadóir: Four Centuries of Cork Silver and
Gold. The art gallery organized an
exhibition of loans of rare silver and gold items that were created
in Cork, Youghal and Kinsale.
to hold
Seventeen ceramic artists will participate in this exhibition
organized by Peter Ting. to hold embraces the touch and feel
of clay in its many forms as each artisan brings their own talents
to this project.
Art Trail 2005
Who better to lead a contemporary art festival than the artists
themselves? In 2005 this festival will be presented in a two pronged
approach, the first reflecting the origins of this annual Cork event with
200 artists participating.
The second part will introduce the international community as
artists in residence for a short duration to create new pieces. The
public will be able to view these new works in their progress. Later
in the year some of these artists will return to Cork and with their
Cork hosts present their works to the public.
Cork 2005 plans a program of over 236 projects in eight disciplines:
- Architecture, Design & Visual Arts
- Festivals
- Film, Media & Sound
- Literature, Publications & Conferences
- Music
- Residences, Research & Process
- Sport
- Theater & Dance
Naturally with such a wide spectrum of events there is something to interest everyone at Cork 2005!
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