www.curator.ie » art | artists

Update in progress

Fifth year students of Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne , Dingle, Co. Kerry with the self portraits that will feature in the exhibition ‘Ár Ré-na’ opening in May 2014.

art

www.curator.ie manages projects that combine the work of visual artists with innovative curatorial practices in and out of galleries. This is about the art of the possible, about making art happen.

A portrait of the artist Caoimhghin Ó Fraithile his studio in Dingle. The photograph was taken by Ciarán Walsh, www.curator.ie. Caoimhghin is standing in front of a series of artworks.

Caoimhghin Ó Fraithile in the studio. Photo by Ciarán Walsh, www.curator.ie.

art, artists and curators

The traditional definition of a curator is one who takes care of a collection of artifacts. Contemporary usage encompasses everything from gallery administration and project management to the organisation of exhibitions and criticism. In effect a curator has become someone who presents art in a pubic context, whether that is contemporary art or ‘inherited’ art: within the gallery system or outside of its walls.

www.curator.ie does all of the above but the emphasis is on making things happens, putting projects together. The approach is collaborative, working with artists to realise a project, a vision or, simply put, to make art ‘work’ in a gallery or any other setting. It is all about making art possible whatever the challenges.

installing ManFred Url’s ‘Bád Spéire Michael D. in Inis Oírr / Inisheer in the Aran Islands.

In 2013 www.curator.ie was involved in a filmed artwork by Denis Buckley; hanging a currach (a traditional west of Ireland canvas boat or canoe) 8 metres high in a theatre in the Aran Islands with Manfred Url; refurbishing a site specific sculpture in a remote valley west of Dingle with Caoimhghin Ó Fraithile and local craftsmen; editing footage of a major project in Japan by Ó Fraithile; hanging a retrospective exhibition of paintings by Charles Lamb (1893 -1964) and refurbishing a gallery.

‘Ag iompar curai / carrying a currach’ by Charles Lambe (1893 -1964).

Making Art Work

Working as a freelance curator in an economic climate where access to funding is limited presents particular difficulties. Many projects don’t get off the ground and some fail in midstream. 1n 2012 a filmed art work literally unravelled after 4 days of shooting because agreement could not be reached on funding or on a collaborative way forward. Another project ran into difficulty when the artwork did not conform to the funder’s expectations. This was resolved and the project was completed. Hanging a 5 metre boat 8 metres above the seating in a theatre presented huge logistical problems but, luckily, a writer who was an engineer was on site. Sometimes luck and happenstance are involved.

Whatever the challenge, project management is hugely important and making more with less than is required is standard operating procedure. Despite this, exciting things happen and are made to happen all over the country by the combined will and determination of artist and curators to make artworks that matter. That is the art of the possible.

‘Táimse Im’ Chodladh / I Am Sleeping’ by Denis Buckley, 2013.

Projects | 2014

‘Ár Ré-na,’ Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne. Dingle. www.curator.ie is working with the art teacher and students of Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne , Dingle, County Kerry on the curation of their exhibition entitled ‘Ár Ré-na’ opening in May 2014.