FREE – PLEASE TAKE ONE
Autumn ‘11
Vol8 Iss 1
Signal Arts, Bray, presents artist Brigid O‟Brien. Brigid has exhibited widely in Dublin, Wicklow and London. She has worked with artists and people with disabilities, designing gardens and painting murals in long–term care facilities. She has a unique, quirky view of life. Allotments were a feature of the earlier part of the last century. „I recall observing the patterns left by them on railway banks around Dublin in the1960s. Quaint, they looked old fashioned and definitely part of our past,‟ says Brigid. „Allotment‟ runs from Tuesday 22 November to Sunday 4 December „11: Signal Arts Centre, 1 Albert Avenue, Bray.
SPACE INSIDE LIVE NIGHT supports ‘FEELING GOOD’ WEEK Tues 4 October ’11 @ 8pm Wicklow Sailing Club – FREE Admission
Friends of Space Inside Win €100 per month! ----Check out our super-sized new journal Keith Moss
Phil Lynch
Al O’Donnell
Editorial Hi all,
Welcome back to another season of the Space Inside, our 8th journey into the creativity space and beyond. The big news is that we have increased the size of our journal. As we are now a quarterly publication, we thought it only fair to give you something bigger to get your teeth into. In view of our expansion, we welcome a new contributor, Chaim Factor, to the Space Inside journal. Chaim is acquainted with journalism; indeed, he published a successful arts magazine in the late 1990s. A profile of his furniture design studio, Hill Picket Studio, is on page 5. We have also introduced a new reader‟s participation column, A Traveller‟s Tale. We are looking for articles from our readers on „arty‟ events they have experienced when abroad. Check out page 10 for our first tale. We hope you enjoy our four extra pages of articles and are also pleased to announce that, once again, we have been awarded grants from Wicklow Arts Office and Wicklow Town Council. However, if we want to keep this journal in print, we must continue to conjure up with fund-raising schemes. During the summer, we ran a ticketed raffle and a big thank-you to all who donated prizes, and who bought and sold tickets. A list of prizewinners will be posted on our blog.
Another of our brilliant schemes – at least I hope you will agree – is our Friend‟s Monthly Draw. Each month we will hold a €100 draw for a lucky patron. Patronage is only €40 p.a. and, with the draw limited to a 50 people, the chances of winning are far better than a scratch card, or the lottery. But you need to join before 31 st October to be included. Contact us now and put your name down before the list closes at spaceinside@hotmail.com This October, we are delighted to take part in the Feeling Good Week run by Wicklow Mental Health. They have organised several activities during the week, but what could make you feel better than coming down to a Space Inside Live Night! I look forward to seeing all our regulars and lots of new faces too at our Live Night on Tuesday 4th October. A great line-up kicks off the season. See you there.
Carol Boland
29 Sept – 16 Oct 2011
Europe’s oldest specialist theatre festival
The Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival is Europe‟s oldest specialist theatre festival, appearing on the world‟s calendar since 1957. The Festival has hosted productions by the world‟s highly regarded artists, while also premiering work by the giants of Irish theatre. Their programmes have included shows by some of Ireland‟s most respected artists, including Seamus Heaney, Roddy Doyle, and Brian Friel. International artists who have include, Ciarán Hinds, Vanessa Redgrave, James Cromwell and Neve Campbell. Within the theatre festival there are many different programme strands which incorporate everything from music to dance, from cutting edge theatre to the biggest shows on Broadway. The mandate is simple: if it‟s the best in the world, it‟s coming to the Festival. Aside from hundreds of main-stage productions, the festival also presents Special Events which include master classes from the world's top practitioners, artist development programmes, schools workshops and panel discussions. This year, the Festival showcases 29 productions from 8 different countries including Russia, UK, Switzerland and German, with 553 performances in 25 venues. Too many to list here. The opening show, at the Gaiety, is Donka, A Letter to Chekhov, directed by the Cirque du Soleil director, Daniele Finzi Pasca. A breathtaking physical theatre with a feat of aerial acrobatics, multi-media illusion and circus magic. One of the Special Events during the festival is Rewarding Rewording with Emma Donoghue. This is a conversation with both the renowned author and the director, Annabelle Comyn, on translating the literary life of Maeve Brennan to stage. A free, but ticketed, event. The Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival runs from 29 September – 16 October. You can sign up to the Festival Ezine and book your tickets at www.dublintheatrefestival.com
Some Things Are Free!
Every first Saturday of the month at 1pm, MadArt Gallery leaves a small painting or a sketch with a note „PLEASE TAKE ME‟ attached to a pink bike beside the door of the Gallery. Any passerby may take the art work with no questions asked. But there is one condition, says artist and proprietor, Sofia Monika Swatek, „You have to like and appreciate it.‟
Win €100 a month! Too good to be true? Not if you are a Friend of The Space Inside. Starting in October, Friends of the Space Inside - that is anyone who donates €40 before the end of October 2011 - will be entered into a monthly €100 draw.
MadArt Gallery and Studio is situated in Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin. It was established as an arts studio three years ago by Sofia and her partner Hubert Szypersky. When, in January 2010, the ground floor of the building became available, the two artists decided to turn it into an art gallery space. „We want to make art available to everyone,‟ says Sofia, who organizes the gallery exhibitions. „We are looking for creative people with strong passion, unique style, interesting technique and good ideas.‟ Sofia stresses artists don‟t have to be art college graduates but „they definitely have to be experienced in the specific area of art.‟ A unique aspect of the gallery is that no commission is charged on artwork sold during the exhibition. The charge for the space, including promotion and wine reception, is €450 for one room, or €600 for two rooms, for a one week exhibition.
The draw will be held on the last day of each month for nine months of the Space Inside season. The odds are extremely good, as the draw will be limited to a maximum of 50 Friends. So, do yourself a favour, join up today and, at the same time, help us keep the Space Inside alive and kicking. Send your €40 to the Space Inside Arts, Grove Mill, Hollyfort, Co, Wexford, or bring it along at our next Live Night in the Wicklow Sailing Club on Tuesday 4th October. If you’re not in you can’t win! Mealla Tarrant‟s EP „Make My Day‟ is now out on iTunes. She played at the Space Inside Live Night last year.
The MadArt Gallery and Studio runs courses on painting and drawing, photography, Photoshop training and video production. Information on their courses and future
exhibitions can be found at www.madartstudio.com
‘Feeling Good’ Week
on Tuesday by the Space Inside Live Night. Wednesday is Band Night and Thursday is comedy film night, both events take place upstairs in Ernies. The weekend is full of family events, including a Set Dancing evening. The Wicklow Male Voice Choir continues to raise spirits with their music on the Sunday night in the Grand Hotel.
3 – 10 October 2011
Wicklow Mental Health Association (WMHA) is a local voluntary organisation which promotes positive mental health and actively supports persons with a mental illness, their families and carers. On World Mental Health Day on Monday 10th October, WMHA launch their new Wicklow Mental Health Association Pamphlets. For further information visit www.wicklowmentalhealth.org
A week of „Feeling Good‟ events is planned for Wicklow Town with comedy, music and dance. Organised by Wicklow Mental Health, Monday 3rd to Monday 10th October will be packed with events to raise the spirits – many of the events are free. The week kicks off with a Laughter Night in Ernies, followed
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REVIEWS Small Mercies
Grace Williams Says It Loud
Barry McCormack
Emma Henderson
Michael Tinsley reviews the latest album from Dubliner Barry McCormack
The doctors said no more could be done and advised Grace's parents to put her away in the Briar Mental Institute. This is her home for 30 years.
I‟ve always loved songs that refer to places I know. Maybe that is why I fell for Barry‟s 2003 debut „We Drank Our Tears‟ which took me on tour of Dublin, from Chancery Place to the Coombe, over to Stoneybatter and onto Misery Hill. And while he tones down the place-namechecking on this album, one of the stand out tracks „Hard is the Road‟ is set in Hazelhatch, where his train is held up by a body on the line. The delay gives him time to reflect on the end of a relationship and the motivation of the recent suicide.
On her first day, Grace, aged eleven, meets Daniel, an epileptic who can speak French and type with his feet. He sees a different Grace: someone to share secrets and canoodle with; someone to fight for. We read Grace‟s inner life story. She is unable to communicate with those around her other than in a limited way but this compelling story is told in first person and nothing is lost on her. Some staff show tenderness and compassion, others are thoughtlessly cruel. Her tone is upbeat and exuberant and the book is deeply affecting – this is a spirit-soaring story of love against the odds.
On most of the album he is joined by a full band. Joss Moorken‟s deft drumming and John Hegarty‟s subtle but apt keyboards really help to add light and shade to the musical palette. And the chorus backing vocals, courtesy of Gary Fitzpatrick, remind me of the Bad Seeds at times, which can never be a bad thing.
Hilary €1 off from Bridge Street Books with Hilary’s review
However the real stars of the album are the stories and characters that Barry delivers in unique Dublin drawl. Throughout, he manages to capture the recessionary zeitgeist without ever resorting to mawkishness or cliché. „The Dogs on the Street‟ tells of a company on its knees shedding staff with „Paul in the office up to his arse in P45s‟. My favourite song, „Hard Times‟, is narrated by a character welcomed back to the dole office like an old friend; other than propping up the bar, the only places to roam are ghost estates filled with rolling tumbleweed.
Bridge Street Books, Bridge Street, Wicklow. ph: + 353(0)404 62240 www.bridgestreetbooks.ie
Wexford Festival Opera 21 Oct – 5 Nov 2011
It‟s not all doom and gloom. „Bad Enough‟ is a jaunty and nostalgic number; „The Ghosts of Pigtown‟ tells of acceptance in the pub, when it is missing at home; the final song „Spring‟ brings with it the hope of that season „when light has returned and the darkness is gone ‟.
Wexford is a charming seaside town where one of the world‟s most remarkable festivals has taken place since 1951. The Wexford Festival prides itself in giving new life to neglected operas and introducing audiences to forgotten masterpieces.
This album is not for everyone, but if you fancy some contemporary stories with an alternative-folk delivery (or „D6 Americana‟ as the Irish Times called it) you should be grateful for „Small Mercies.‟
Operas this year: La cour de Celimene - 21, 27, 30 October Maria – 22, 28, 31 October, 4 November Gianni di Parigi – 23, 29 October, 2, 5 November The Festival also offers a packed programme of morning events, concerts, recitals, short operas and late night revues. Check it out at www.wexfordopera.com
http://barrymccormack.com/
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FEATURE
The tradition of fine woodworking is fast disappearing in our disposable society. Carol Boland visits Hill Picket Studio where the craft is very much alive.
Hill Picket Studio is an impressive woodworking studio set on top of a mountain, just outside Avoca Village, commanding spectacular views of the surrounding country. An initiative of Chaim and Carol Factor, the unique venue is dedicated to the pursuit of expertise in fine woodwork and design. Designer and master craftsman, Chaim is a fourth generation furniture designer and maker, continuing a family tradition in the excellence of woodworking. He has contributed to Chaim Factor in his workshop projects of note including Trinity College Dublin and The Four Courts, and carvings to the organ casework at St. Mary‟s Dublin. His work has been widely exhibited.
Genuine Passion for his craft Maintaining established knowledge in traditional methods and forging new concepts, using wood as a sustainable material, is at the heart of Hill Picket Studio. The woodwork courses advocate the importance of fine woodwork in furniture design and making, wood sculpture and instrument making. Chaim shares his genuine passion for his craft in the relaxed atmosphere of his workshop where Mandolin Making, Violin Making, Veneering, Working Curves, French Polish, Wood
Turning and Box Making are all on offer. All skill levels are welcome, and clients work at their own pace, some taking on ambitious projects with little or no experience, often surprising themselves with their achievements. Furniture Making courses act as core modules, helping participants Heads down for fine wood work to progress to other courses, such as instrument making. There is an emphasis on the use of hand tools to create precise joint work, very often with dramatic effect.
Musical Instruments Music is an international language which transcends borders. The making of any instrument will certainly challenge the skills of a novice woodworker, but producing a quality violin or mandolin is very possible under Chaim‟s instruction. Individual projects may take several weeks, and most clients say that they find the whole experience fulfilling - in many different ways.
‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever’ The sentiment in John Keats‟ poem is no less valid as regards crafted design pieces in quality woods. In our throw-away society, often the crafted wood bookshelves hold less of an appeal than their cheaper counterparts. „Craft woodworking feeds into heirdom, whereas a disposable attitude to furniture feeds into Keepsake Box in black walnut and maple consumerism,‟ suggests Chaim. Indeed, quality items that we inherit from family are often the things we cherish most. As more people acquire woodworking skills, they play their part in keeping the traditional skills alive. A course in Furniture Making is €90 for one day, or €160 for two days. A one day course in Guitar/Mandolin/Violin is €110. A generous lunch is included. On Monday evenings, a beginners and intermediate woodwork and furniture making course runs from 7pm til 9pm at €15 per night. Check them out on Facebook and their website at www.hillpicketstudio.com. T: 0402 30581
What’s On Where
Events that caught the Space Inside’s eye
Where
Music
Music
Dublin Gospel Singers & Inspirational Choir of Harlem
Julian Lloyd Weber
18 Dec 8.00pm
This pre-Christmas performance is brought to St. Kevin‟s Parish Church, Kilavaney, by The Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely. Ticket only event and advance booking essential. Tickets: €20/€18 Concessions from The Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely T: 0402 38529 or E: info@tinahely-courthouse.ie. www.tinahely-courthouse.ie
13 Nov 8.00pm
He is a passionate supporter of Leyton Orient football club, was London Underground‟s first official busker, and plays a seventeenth century Stradivarius cello. In his 60th birthday year, the Mermaid are pleased to welcome legendary cellist Julian Lloyd Webber. Join Julian, his cello and pianist Pam Chowhan as they journey through his musical repertoire. Tickets: €27 / €30 Mermaid Box Office T: 01 272 4030 www.mermaidartscentre.ie
Visual Arts Music in Calary "Anda Jaleo" Songs of the People 6 Oct 8.00pm Deirdre Moynihan, soprano Alec O‟Leary, guitar Featuring an intriguing collection of Spanish Songs arr. by F.G. Lorca, plus Villa-Lobos, Piazzola, Dowland & Rosseter Calary Church, Wicklow €15/10 T: 01 281 8146 www.newcastleparish.org/
Dublin Contemporary 2011 Terrible Beauty - Art, Crisis, Change & The Office of NonCompliance 6 Sept – 31 Oct Dublin Contemporary 2011 is a city-wide cultural event with over 90 artists from 5 continents taking part. The main exhibition hub at Earlsfort Terrace will provide a range of unusual spaces for mini solo exhibitions that range from large-scale installations to smaller intimate hangings. Exhibitions will also be sited in some of the city‟s best known landmarks including IMMA and Dublin City Gallery and also libraries and music venues and spaces not normally associated with the visual arts.€10 students, OAPs, and unwaged. One day adult tickets €15. €6 children (under 5s go free) www.dublincontemporary.com
Live Night Join us around a log fire at Wicklow Sailing Club for a local FREE night out with excellent poetry and music 1st Tuesday of the month - Doors Open 8pm Tuesday 1 November ‘11
‘Feeling Good’ Tuesday 4 October ‘11 Al O'Donnell
Erin Fornoff
Al O'Donnell developed his interest in folk music while attending Art College in Nottingham, listening to Ewan McColl and Peggy and Pete Seeger. The Irish folk scene was just developing at that time (1960's), and over the last 40 years he has become "one of the great voices in our singing tradition". He also was one of the members of Sweeney's Men. If you missed him at Americana and Roots festival, now‟s your chance to see him at the Space Inside.
Erin Fornoff hails from the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina and currently lives in a cabin in the wilds of Wicklow. After writing a single poem in college she decided she liked performing more than printing and moved into spoken word. Called a "story-telling poet," she has performed her poetry on Electric Picnic's Word and Arts Council Stages, at Kilmainham Arts Festival, Caca Milis Cabaret in Wexford, Flatlakes Festival in Monaghan, as well as Brownbread Mixtape, The Glór Sessions at the International, Speakeasy Cabaret, and various locations in the US.
Phil Lynch Phil Lynch has been writing poetry “off and on” for many years. His poems have appeared in a number of publications and magazines, some were also featured on RTE radio. Phil is a member of the Dalkey Writers‟ Workshop. He has performed on the Word Stage in the Mindfield at this year‟s Electric Picnic Festival. Earlier this year, he recorded a piece for Dublin Poetry Week on Balcony TV and was featured in the „Scrapbook‟ series on Liffey Sound FM.
Josh Johnson We welcome back Josh Johnson to the Space Inside. Josh studied Popular Music in the University of Salford, graduating as a pianist, band leader and composer. He is wellknown as a versatile musician. Josh performed on stage and recorded with Kila, Declan O‟Rourke, Stewart Agnew, Irish tenor Karl Scully and others. He is the resident organist at the Unitarian Church in Dublin. His latest CD, Asylum Harbour, is available now. He will be joined by SJ McArdle and Keith Mullins on the night.
Keith Moss IMRO Unplugged Winner Keith Moss will appear for the first time at The Space Inside showcasing songs from his critically-acclaimed sixth studio album What Eludes You Moves You. He has been described by The Irish Times as „a curious mixture of Bernard Butler and Loudon Wainwright III..An instinctive performer...Someone to keep a judicious eye out for.‟ His music is so unique that „influences prove difficult to pin - a touch of acoustic REM, Smashing Pumpkins, Billy McKenzie…Fantastically odd‟ Blank. http://keithmoss.bandcamp.com
Would you like to perform at a Live Night? Then email spaceinside@hotmail.com or phone 0851138367. Donated raffle prizes keep Live Nights free and are gratefully received. www.thespaceinside.blogspot.com
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FEATURE Art is everywhere. Indeed, it is an important part of product promotion. A roadside billboard may not be immediately recognised as a piece of art, but copywriters work hard to dream up new slogans and images. This is where you may say „this is not Art.‟ But if the slogan, image or product promotes an emotional response, even by way of a purchase, it has become a valid artistic statement.
But is it Art?
Alexander-McQueen Shoe
The basic meaning of the term ‘art’ has changed several times over the centuries and continues to change. Chaim Factor and Carol Boland tackle this contentious subject and consider what exactly we understand by Art. Art usually implies no function other than to convey or communicate an idea. It is not unreasonable, therefore, to suggest that art is a form of expression which stimulates a response, whether emotional or intellectual. When you say that you do, or do not like a painting, a song or a poem, the artist has been successful: you have responded. Can that be correct? Can it be as simple as that?
In the recent sense of the word, „art‟ is often seen as an abbreviation for creative art or fine art. Here, the concept means that skill is being used to express the artist‟s creativity, or to engage the audience‟s aesthetic sensibilities. If the skill is being used in a functional object, people often consider it a craft instead of art, a suggestion which is highly disputed by many contemporary craft thinkers. Likewise, if the skill is being used in a commercial or industrial way, it may be considered design instead of art. Cars, tractors and computers The work of an artist is confirmed at the moment of its expression, and the response, positive or negative, equally validates that work. Therefore, the process of validation requires not only the production of an artistic work but also the acceptance and understanding of what it represents. Art and design exists in every manmade concept and production – for example, buildings, cars, tractors, magazines and computers. However, there is a tendency to overlook the artistic workmanship and instead focus on the functional and commercial benefits of the object. In a world where consumer marketing is so prominent, it is sometimes easy to disregard the creative design and fail to recognise its artistic element: an element which may be its major selling point.
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King Arthur‟s knights of Camelot displayed emblems on their shields, pendants, and heraldic crests. Sitting in suits of armour, they debated across a round table seated on chairs. All of the mentioned items began as artistic concepts, and were designed and executed by artists of different disciplines. You may not understand or appreciate a particular painting, sculpture, poem or movement of music, but an iPhone, which has gone through the same creative process, you may consider as cool!
Eileen Gray Eileen Gray is regarded as one of the most important furniture designers and architects of the early 20th century. Born in Enniscorthy, her contribution was largely unsung before her death in 1976, but now art connoisseurs are paying huge sums for her work. Her work inspired both modernism and Art Deco. The Decorative Art and Design sale at Christie‟s this year, realized a record €59.1 million. Dragons armchair Among items sold was by Eileen Gray Gray‟s Dragons armchair which fetched €21.9 million, shattering the auction record for a 20th century decorative artwork.
‘Art is not for me’ None of this is helpful if you continue to feel „Art is not for me‟ and „I couldn‟t draw a straight line . . .‟ There is an emotional space inside us which allows us to enjoy art. There is no point in denying that such a response mechanism does not exist. If you tap your foot to a tune, cry at a sad movie or enjoy designer cars, shoes and lipstick, you are an art lover. Last step is to recognise your small space inside.
How To . . .
Avoid Pitfalls of Sentimentality But how does a writer achieve a desired feeling or emotion in the reader without resorting to sentimentality? The answer is almost always to keep your writing honest and sincere. Try to avoid highly charged imagery that elicits feelings and instead try to create a feeling that arises out of good descriptions and well defined characters. Another way to avoid sentimentality in your writing is to read widely, both literature and pulp. Consider your own reactions to the text as you read it, and work out why it succeeds or fails in provoking your emotions.
Sentiment V Sentimentality Sentimentality is the only sentiment that rubs you the wrong way W Somerset Maugham Great writing can move us to tears. Sometimes it's the skillfulness of the language that evokes this response and, sometimes, it's a combination of language and subject. However, many pieces of writing fail to move us, despite the emotional subject matter. The culprit in these cases is, undoubtedly, the sentimentality of the language. Sentiment, to put it simply, is a feeling. Love, hate, sadness, anger and joy are all powerful sentiments. Sentimentality, on the other hand, implies excessive, sometimes mawkish sentiment. Laurence Perrine, in Sound and Sense, refers to sentimentality as: „indulgence in emotion for its own sake, or expression of more emotion than an occasion warrants.‟ As regards sentimental literature, he says „tear-jerking literature aims primarily at stimulating the emotions directly rather than at communicating experience truly and freshly; it depends on trite and well-tried formulas for exciting emotion; it revels in old oaken buckets, rocking chairs, mother love, and the pitterpatter of little feet; it oversimplifies; it is unfaithful to the full complexity of human experience.‟
Five possible ways to avoid sentimentality, yet elicit sentiment, are listed on writerbug.blogspot.com 1. Use specific images and situations, not general/abstract ones. 2. Do not rely on adjectives 3. Do not rely on clichés or hackneyed subject matter 4. Do not tell the reader what to feel, let them experience feelings along with the character 5. Use events and images that surprise your reader Writing Exercise To test your ability to write without sentimentality, try writing a love poem. A love poem is unique to the people involved. You want your piece to touch the person without being overly sentimental. Here is a love poem by Shakespeare to get you started: My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips' red; If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head. I have seen roses damasked, red and white, But no such roses see I in her cheeks, And in some perfumes is there more delight Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks. I love to hear her speak, yet well I know, That music hath a far more pleasing sound. I grant I never saw a goddess go; My mistress when she walks treads on the ground. And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare As any she belied with false compare. This love poem succeeds in portraying the sentiment of love by rejecting the usual clichés. At the same time, it also surprises the reader in the final couplet. Your turn now. Good luck!
A Traveller’s Tale
In Profile
A new concept in journalism
Thomas Flynn by Anne Graham
The Space Inside invites anyone who has been abroad lately to tell us about their „arty‟ experience. The article may be on a particularly worthy exhibition or museum, or anything arts-related that they wish to share. Email us at spaceinside@hotmail.com for further details or assistance with your article. Maximum 300 words. To kick us off, our first Traveller’s Tale is an installation by Cornelia Parker, visited by Carol Boland on a recent trip to York, UK.
Thirty Pieces of Silver by Cornelia Parker Til 30 Oct 11 York St Marys is a medieval church in the centre of York. It was de-consecrated in 1958 and, in 2004, was opened as a contemporary art venue. I came upon this exhibition quite by accident, on my way to one of plethora of historical sites in York. Thirty Pieces of Silver is a thousand silver objects, including plates, spoons, candlesticks, trophies, cigarette cases, teapots and trombones, which Cornelia Parker collected and then flattened with a steamroller – no, don‟t laugh. These objects are suspended, almost ethereally, from the ceiling, on a total of 32km silvery wires. A feeling of lightness permeates the small medieval church as the objects appear to hover above the gravestones imbedded in the stone floor. There is an obvious link between the church and the title of the artist‟s work, with references to Judas‟ payment for betraying Jesus. Also, the cutlery and dinner plates could be seen as an allusion to the Last Supper. The artist is fascinated with silver objects, which are often ceremonial. Through artistic intervention, their life as particular objects is ended and they are reborn as something else. A moving and contemplative exhibition in a reborn venue. Worth a trip to York itself.
Thomas Flynn is a bogwood sculptor based in Wicklow Town. After an injury left him out of work nearly three years ago, he discovered he had a talent for sculpting. Out of ancient bogwood, Thomas creates unusual, haunting images and symbols. He sources the material, up to10, 000 years old, deep from a bog located at a Bord na Mona Power Station in Co. Offaly. The bogwood spoke to his creative tendencies. „The shape or image is already there, I just carve it out to make it clearer,‟ says Thomas. While he sometimes uses Bog Yew and Bog Pine in his work, his preference is for Black Bog Oak, much sought after in Victorian Times as a kind of „black gold‟ to make high quality furniture. After he carves the wood, he works in metals, such as bronze, to give it a solid structure. He finishes the piece off by using the French polish technique gleaned from sculptors of bogwood in the West of Ireland. Other techniques he learned there include Faux Effect and Verdigris Patina, used to oxidise the bronze to give a „rust effect‟. While Thomas is greatly inspired by the naturalism of Gaudi, he sees his work mainly from a patriotic viewpoint. After spending many years working abroad, he wanted to reconnect with his homeland and its rich, vibrant history. This is seen clearly in his Celtic themes. But it is his subtle use of intertwining roots that give his pieces depth; it reminds one that sculptures are not merely works of art suggesting the past, they are the past. This eons-old wood is found after digging down through many layers, just like our search to understand where we come from. Arguably, Thomas‟ sculptures embody the mystery surrounding this origins quest. In these few years, there‟s been great interest in Thomas‟ work. This year, he reached the final of the National Arts Competition. His work has also been used in a professional fashion shoot, and he has exhibited at the Wicklow Arts Festival and in Wicklow Tourist Office. In addition, he undertakes private commissions. His success can only continue. Contact Thomas on T: 086 3978686
Twitters Photography Magazine - let the light in
Creative Writing Workshop On the first Saturday of each month, Vera Walsh will run creative writing sessions at SOL Studio, Quarantine Lane, Wicklow Town.
prism Photography Magazine, is Ireland‟s new international magazine dedicated to contemporary and fine art photography. The latest edition includes works by Jens Olof Lasthein (winner of Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2010) and gifted photography graduates Sarah Orr and Anna Wickham.
The workshops will guide writers in exploring their creative abilities in a friendly atmosphere. Sat 1 October, Sat 5 November, Sat 3 December 10.30am – 12.30pm €10 per session
prism collaborates with professional photographers, art galleries and curators in order to deliver an exciting source of never-ending inspiration. The magazine comes out every second month in PDF format and is distributed online for free.
Contact: Vera Walsh M: 086 3961555 E: veracwalsh@eircom.net
If you want to contribute to the magazine, check out their website at www.PrismPhotoMagazine.com
Lonely Voice: Short Story Introductions This regular event takes place on the last Wednesday of every month. Up to four short story writers will be selected and invited to read their work as the centre is particularly interested in providing a platform for emerging writers, who previously may not have had the opportunity to read their work in public.
Creative Writing Competitions 13th Francis Ledwidge International Poetry Award Deadline: 5th Nov 11
Send the short story you would like to read (max 2,500 words and limited to one entry per person per month) and a short bio to: thelonelyvoice@gmail.com. Please attach bios and stories separately and make sure they are in .doc format. Your name should not appear on the story. The reading event is free. For the deadline for submissions for next month's competition is 27 Nov. Check out www.irishwriterscentre.ie
Ireland's Big Issue Magazine's Short Story Competition Deadline: 1st Nov 11 National Poetry Competition Deadline: 31st Oct 11 Ireland's Big Issue Magazine's Short Story Competition Deadline: 1st Nov 11
National Writing Resources Website
The Irish Writers’ Centre Novel Fair Comp Deadline: 11th Nov 11
Writing.ie is a new national writing resources website that aims to bring all the information about writing in Ireland into one place. Arts Council backed, it provides free-to-add event listings, space for course providers to advertise and for writing related service providers to advertise from as little as €5 per month. Packed full of author interviews and writing tips, it will be constantly updated with new content. It's already attracting huge traffic, so add your event and let writers know what's happening.
2011/12 Poetry Business Book & Pamphlet Competition Deadline: 29th Nov 11 Leaf Books Presents: Memoir Competition Deadline: 30th Nov 11 The Ballymaloe International Poetry Prize Deadline: 31st Dec 11
Contact Tel: 01 2765921/087 28353 Email: vanessa@writing.ie W: http://writing.ie
Source: www.poetryireland.ie
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POET’S CORNER Anniversary Wicklow Writers Price: €10 (Boland Press) The Wicklow Writers 10th anniversary anthology of writing is now available. In collaboration with Kilmantin Arts artist, Pat Dover, the book also includes photographs of Wicklow Town.
Far From Athy
Martin Swords
i.m. Pat Swords 1915 - 1978 Pat told stories of old times, living in digs in Athy, working on the roofin‟ for aul‟ Hammond. Me with my book-learning piped up, „I heard of Athy: And look! a barge comes bringing from Athy And other far-flung towns, mythologies,’ lines from the canal-bank poet. * „Bet he never saw it in the lashing rain‟, Pat observed dryly.
The following two poems were selected for inclusion in Anniversary, which is available from any Wicklow Writer or No. Nor I had never seen it his way, by emailing: wicklowwriters@gmail.com. from a cold slate roof breaking galvanised tacking nails with the long ripper and only the price of two pints in his pocket till Friday. Life Cait Breathnach The tree grows crooked roots partly exposed from the heavy rain. I refrain from saying it is ugly for the tree has life in its twisted state. Apples grow in abundance tasty, juicy, tempting to willing poachers. I watch the branches stretch and bloom fed by sun and rain and learn to know ugly is beauty too.
He was glad for me that I hadn‟t. * Patrick Kavanagh
As part of Culture Night on Friday 23 September at 8.30, Wicklow Writers will read from Anniversary in Kilmantin Arts Gallery, Wicklow Town.
All-Ireland Poetry Day All-Ireland Poetry Day this year is on Friday, 7 October. A poetry reading can be found in almost every county across the island. For information about events check out www.poetryireland.ie
Friends of The Space Inside 2010/11 Businesses: Yoga Sacred Space, National Fire Museum of Power (Wales) www.internalfire.com, Healthy Habits Café Wicklow, Maltfield Riding School Ballykeane Redcross. Groups: Wicklow Writers, Shed Poets. Individuals: Iris Brown, Helen Duffy, Jane Clarke, Avril Young, Charlie Burke, Mary Boland, The Graham Family, Socorro Murphy, Anne Cavanagh, J and E Whittaker, Gerry and Betty Sheridan, Edward Ryan, Martin Swords, James Boland, George & Meta Whittaker, Jean McGovern, Janet Smith, Martin Essen, Liam Walsh. Space Inside Arts Journal is published quarterly by volunteers: Editorial: Carol Boland, Anne Graham, Chaim Factor and Michael Tinsely. Live Nights are run by Carol Boland, Anne Graham, Pascal Moran, Cait Breathnach, John Graham, with help from Kerry Gill. Distribution of magazine: Evert Beerda, Tess Doyle and others. Space Inside M: 085113836 E: spaceinside@hotmail.com
Become a Friend 2011/12 to enter our €100 monthly draw. Send €40 to Space Inside, Grove Mill, Hollyfort, Co. Wexford, before 31 October 2011. Alternatively, donate €3 (or more) online at thespaceinside.blogspot.com The Space Inside is grateful to Wicklow Town Council, Wicklow County Arts Office, and Friends for making the journal and Live Nights a reality. This project was initially assisted by Wicklow Rural Partnership Ltd under the European Union LEADER +/National Development Plan 2000-2006.
W: thespaceinside.blogspot.com
Published by Boland Press
Printed by Conway Media