PAG E|TWENTY F OUR | The Arts
EAST BELFAST EDITION | #6 | JULY 2015
T HE AR TS IC O N IC RO B O T S A R R I V E @ T ITA N IC B E L FA S T
LEFT: Kaelyn Dudley (aged 10) is pictured greeting C-3P0. RIGHT: Megan Dudley (aged 5) is pictured greeting Scooter 2000
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One of Europe’s largest privately owned collections of robots, cyborgs and androids have arrived at Titanic Belfast for its ROBOTS Summer exhibition which runs from 26th June – 13th September.
To buy tickets to enter into the world of ROBOTS, priced at £6 per adult and £3 per child (age 5-16 years) with family tickets (two adults and two children) costing £16, visit: titanicbelfast.com or phone +4428 90766 399.
ne of Europe’s largest privately owned
With over 50 robots on display, the exhibition
Don Jack, curator of the ROBOTS exhibition,
collections of robots, cyborgs and
has something for children and adults alike.
“We are delighted to bring ROBOTS to Titanic
androids have arrived at Titanic Belfast for its
Film fans won’t be disappointed with Sonny
Belfast. People find our collections totally
ROBOTS Summer exhibition. The collection
from I,Robot, the B9 robot from Lost in Space
fascinating. Folks, just love to see the items,
of movie props and costumes, including Iron
and the cyborg RoboCop on the bill. Enduring
particularly the iconic pieces. I can’t imagine a
Man, R2-D2 and T-800 from Terminator, which
family favourites such as the stars from Star
more spectacular setting for the blockbuster
are on loan from the Museum of Movie Magic,
Trek, Red Dwarf and Robby the Robot from
ROBOTS than Titanic Belfast.” Tim Husbands,
Scotland, have taken centre stage at Titanic
Forbidden Plant are also on display.
MBE, commented “Titanic Belfast has pulled out
Belfast’s ROBOTS exhibition. Thousands of
For those who prefer ‘the dark side’, robots like
all the stops to transform the Andrews Gallery
visitors are expected to travel from far and
ABC robot from Judge Dredd and a Sontaran
into a world of ROBOTS making it the must-see
wide to enjoy the eclectic collection from
from Doctor Who are awaiting Northern Ireland
exhibition this summer. We are looking forward
props used on-screen to personal robots,
visitors at the largest ROBOT exhibition in
to welcoming visitors of all ages from across
toys and sculptures.
Northern Ireland this Summer.
Northern Ireland and beyond.”
From left, Alan Burke, the artist for the project, Deirdre Robb from Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Mervyn Gibson Chair of East Belfast Partnership.
or words that represented east Belfast to them; they then used their new copper work skills to imprint their representations onto unique copper pieces. Some of these copper plate pieces form part of the final artwork Residents of Oaklee Housing Association’s Tamar Court also took part in workshops. They created an east Belfast themed stained glass window to display in their communal area. Their memories of east Belfast inspired the design for the window which includes H&W crane, flax flowers, chains and ropes. Participants learned a number of new skills including how to cut and paint glass and their stained glass window was unveiled as part of the ‘Of the River’ launch celebrations today. Speaking at the event Deirdre Robb, Visual Arts Officer at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland said, “We are delighted that we were able to support the making of this artwork with National Lottery funds through our Public Art Programme. It’s
O F T H E RI VER
been inspired by the input of local people and it celebrates the the Connswater River as the focal point. The river was once
historic achievements of the community, so I’m sure this striking
an artery that powered the mills and rope works and it is now
artwork will be a very welcome addition to the area and will
to be celebrated as a place of leisure and recreation through
be enjoyed for many years to come. It is so exciting to see the
the Connswater Community Greenway. The industrial past is
artwork installed on these buildings with the support of the
represented in the artwork through the inclusion of flax flowers,
local community and businesses. ‘Of the River’ will kick-start the
ropes, chains, a shipyard worker and a Harland & Wolff crane.
development of the Holywood Arches area alongside the new
Amidst this industrial past the artwork also celebrates east
EastSide Visitor Centre and C.S. Lewis Civic Square, providing
Belfast as the birthplace of C.S. Lewis with the inclusion of the
benefits for local businesses, visitors and the entire community”
ocated in the shadow of the shipyard cranes, on building
artist’s representation of Aslan.
said Heather Chesney, East Belfast Partnership.
facades at Townsley and Manderson Street at Holywood
The artwork resembles a stained glass window and has been
Speaking on the importance of art in the area, the artist Alan
Arches, the artwork shows how the Connswater River, a
fabricated from sheet metal, corten steel and stainless steel,
Burke commented, “Sculpture and art in general enhances one’s
geographical feature, shaped the history and culture of the
filled in parts with coloured cast resin. The natural red, brown
environment; not only in the obvious as something to look at,
people on its banks. East Belfast Partnership successfully
and purple found in corten steel creates a semi-industrial look
but also as a piece of a much larger jigsaw of community and
secured National Lottery funding through the Arts Council
that contrasts with the glowing colours of the resin and stainless
shared spaces, that in time creates a history and a resonance to
of Northern Ireland to create a piece of art to improve the
steel to marry the industrial heritage to the artistic vision.
a building, town or street. ‘Of the River’ portrays the rich cultural
appearance of the area ahead of the construction of the C.S.
Young people from Walkway Community Association and East
and industrial heritage using the Connswater River as the
Lewis Civic Square. The artist, Alan Burke, wanted to represent
Belfast Area Youth Project participated in workshops to help
storyteller. Working on this project and watching it develop has
a timeline of the local area, from past to present and he used
create the art installation. Young people chose images, symbols
been extremely rewarding.”
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n e w art w ork launche d i n e ast Be lfast
The ‘Of the River’ artwork was officially launched in east Belfast. Created by Co.Down artist Alan Burke, it is an art installation composed of four artworks which portray the rich cultural and industrial heritage of the local area.
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