Ireland's participation at the 12th International Architecture Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Mary Hanafin TD, officially launched Ireland’s participation at this year’s Venice Architecture Biennale in Trinity College Dublin today. Ireland’s participation at Venice is an initiative of Culture Ireland in partnership with the Arts Council of Ireland and is commissioned by the Irish Architecture Foundation.

of de Blacam and Meagher will represent Ireland at the 12th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice during Autumn 2010. Curated by Tom dePaor, Peter Maybury, Alice Casey and Cian Deegan, of de Blacam and Meagher seeks to communicate the cultural landscape of Ireland through the seminal work of de Blacam and Meagher Architects.

The exhibition will address de Blacam and Meagher’s built and unbuilt portfolio of the last 33 years and will mark the donation of these documents to the Irish Architectural Archive. The exhibition in Venice will take the form of a book unbound, containing volumes of drawings and photographic reproductions from the archive, contemporary photography and readings of the works with commentaries. As both archive and reading room, the space will be furnished with and lit by items from the de Blacam and Meagher archive.

Mary Hanafin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport commented "The Venice Biennale is a key opportunity to showcase Irish architecture and the decision by Culture Ireland and the Arts Council to continue to support Ireland's participation at Venice is an important one, particularly in the current climate. While the situation architects throughout Europe has been difficult in recent times, initiatives such as the Venice Biennale are hugely important as Irish architects continue to work in the global marketplace. The number of Irish architects working abroad is increasing with their design talent and professional skill gaining international recognition."

Eugene Downes, Chief Executive of Culture Ireland, noted “de Blacam and Meagher have created a deeply considered and influential body of work, which we are proud to showcase to a global audience this year.”

Nathalie Weadick, Director of the Irish Architecture Foundation, added, “For the Irish Architecture Foundation to commission the Irish exhibit at the largest architecture event in the worldis a delight and an honour. Exhibiting at Venice is not just a promotional tool; it gives Irish culture the opportunity to influence architectural ideas on a global scale. The four curators, Tom de Paor, Peter Maybury, Alice Casey and Cian Deegan, using an innovative exhibition display,reveal the cultural relevance of de Blacam and Meagher. The legacy of the practice is assured by the generations they’ve influenced through their art form. It is an exhibition waiting to happen.”

Formed in 1976, the architectural practice of de Blacam and Meagher has built houses and places of work, commerce, education and worship. In turn, the influence of de Blacam and Meagher has permeated the many facets of Irish life with a distinct cultural presence. The quality of their work has been recognised both in Ireland and internationally, and the book Architects Today refers to them as “the godfathers of contemporary Irish architecture”. Known for their focus on making simple buildings and the employment of beautiful and sustainable materials, some of their best-known buildings in Ireland include Cork Institute of Technology, Chapel of Reconciliation at the Catholic shrine at Knock, Co. Mayo, the Samuel Beckett Theatre Dublin and the restoration of the Dining Hall and Atrium in Trinity College Dublin for the University’s 400th anniversary celebrations.

of de Blacam and Meagher will open on August 27 in the eighteenth century oratory of Irish monk St. Gall near Piazza San Marco, Venice.

The 12th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia – runs from August 29 to November 21 (preview 26-27-28 August) and is widely regarded as the most important event on the international architecture calendar, attracting more than 130,000 informed visitors from around the globe over 12 weeks.

The exhibition is sponsored by the Royal Institute of the Architects in Ireland, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Embassy of Ireland in Italy.

 

For more information, seeirelandatveniceandlabiennale.org/en/architecture