MONUMENT
An exciting new exhibition at the Galway City Museum
While physical distancing measures remain in place, prohibiting us from traveling to far away lands, daydreams of jetting off to our favourite locations keep us hopeful in times of isolation. Here at the Craft Council, we have been looking to exhibitions national and international for inspiration and sheer pleasure. One such exhibition that has caught our attention is MONUMENT, presented by the Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture and the Galway City Museum as part of an ambitious cultural programme
MONUMENT investigates stone monuments located on some of Europe’s smallest islands, primarily the stone forts of Aran and on Dún Aonghasa in particular. Taking a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach, MONUMENT “brings together agencies, institutions and individuals representing the archaeology, architecture, craft and design, cultural landscapes, tangible and intangible heritage, construction, sustainability and the social history associated with the monuments and the islands.” Inspired by the three themes of the Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture programme – Landscape, Language and Migration – and co-curated by Eithne Verling, Director of the Galway City Museum and Sybil Curley the exhibition “blends digital, physical and tactile experiences to tell this story in a manner that we hope will entertain, inform and delight audiences of all ages.”
A selection of artifacts found during excavations between 1992 and 1995 at Dún Aonghasa, Insi have been installed by the National Museum of Ireland at the Galway City Museum. Standing at the edge of Inis Mór, Aran Islands, Dún Aonghasa is one of the best known archaeological sites in the West of Ireland. The selection of artefacts from this region, including cooking pots, tweezers and amber beads from the Late Bronze Age, reflect on the everyday life of the inhabitants who once lived on the island. In addition to the historical artefacts, some of Irelands most respected crafts persons have been commissioned to create new work for the exhibition. They include textile artists Áine & Tarlach de Blácam of Inis Meáin Knitting Company, glass artist Róisín De Buitléar; silversmith Cóilín Ó Dubhghaill; ceramicist Katherine West; basket-maker Joe Hogan; knitter Elain McBride; graphic artist Maeve Clancy; woodturner Alan Meredith; currach-maker Patrick Flaherty, designer Sarah Joyce and film-maker Colm Hogan.
Visting MONUMENT in person might be out of the question for those of us residing in British Columbia, however, the Galways city museum is offering an impressive and interactive virtual tour of the space. You can tour the virtual here .
“Galway City Museum Announce Brand New Monument Exhibition.” Galway City Museum, November 11, 2020.
https://www.galwaycitymuseum.ie/blog/galway-city-museum-announce-brand-new-monument-exhibition/.