An exhibition of work from the Irish Museum of Modern Art’s Collection opens to the public at The Concourse, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council on Friday 15 February 2008 as part of IMMA’s National Programme. IMMAges is curated by nine staff members and a County Councillor from Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council, a process which involved a series of discussions and visits to the Museum, an exploration of the curatorial process and the behind-the-scenes work involved in selecting, presenting and publicising an exhibition. The exhibition will be officially opened by Enrique Juncosa, Director, IMMA at 6.00pm on Thursday 14 February.
IMMAges comprises works of various media including film, sculpture and paintings by Irish and international artists. Marie-Jo Lafontaine is widely regarded as one of the most prominent figures in the landscape of contemporary European art. Waves, 1998 was shot on the west coast of Ireland. Lafontaine shows the theatre of the elements in fury, the power and passion of the natural world. The viewer is drawn into the work through Lafontaine’s use of sound that alternates between dramatic pieces of classical music which the artist distorts post-production, and mysterious otherworldly voices. The crescendos of the powerful and dramatic piece echo the tumultuous movements of the breaking waves leaving the viewer with a sense of the mystery and power of the ocean.
In Daphne Wright’s Where Do Broken Hearts Go, 2000 we see not only the physical layering of the foil strips to create giant cacti but also the layering of the different elements which come together to make the entire installation. The cacti are formed through the highly organised, even obsessive repetition of a single motif: folded strips of household tinfoil. Thousands of strips of foil are prepared and then the process of creating the structure of the cacti begins. Wright forms the foil by hand and then, working inwards, reinforces the shape by applying resin and glue. The macabre lyrics of the Country and Western songs become more chilling when stripped of their music and spoken in a deadpan manner. The intaglio prints are made from photographs found in a second-hand shop. These elements come together to create a landscape without one single narrative or solution but the overall sense is one of a lonely, barren and comfortless place where the viewer is left to complete the story and find their own answers.
In 2003 the Russian artist Dimitri Tsykalov participated on IMMA’s Artists’ Residency Programme. While living and working in the artists’ studios he collected scrap wood from the grounds of the Museum to create Chalet, 2003, an ideal home in a fictional sports car for two characters – Adam and Eve perhaps – who have surrounded themselves by creature comforts, everyday objects that people collect. The kitchen, which is located in the boot, provides their fuel. Their clothing and toiletries are stacked away neatly under the bonnet. The tendrils of a potted house plant wander over the back seat of this organic space, and the function of the iconic sports car is disregarded.
This exhibition is part of the IMMA National Programme which is designed to create access opportunities to the visual arts in a variety of situations and locations in Ireland. Using the Collection of the Irish Museum of Modern Art and exhibitions generated by the Museum, the programme facilitates the creation of exhibitions and other projects for display in a range of locations around the country.
IMMAges is accompanied by an Education and Community Programme.
A full-colour publication accompanies the exhibition.
IMMAges continues at The Concourse, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council until 7 March 2008.
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday 9.00 am – 4.30pm
For further information and images please contact Monica Cullinane or Patrice Molloy at Tel: 01 612 9900 or Email: [email protected]
30 January 2008