Turning a strip of wasteland along the Luas corridor in Smithfield into an outdoor art gallery which shows site specific installations by emerging artists in the "Art Tunnel" section and community artwork in the " Art Platform" section. The project is twofold, involving the realisation of an outdoor gallery for the Smithfield area, and secondly as a micro- neighbourhood park also providing for a b
iodiverse wildlife habitat. It will be accessible as a community garden to local key holders- who will also assist in maintaining the garden. Design, construction and programming of the space will be project managed by Sophie von Maltzan. Go to www.fieldworkandstrategies.com for more details. Our sponsors are the Dice Bar and the Complex as well as DCC.
2. Aim
Richer City
The “Art tunnel” will be a platform for creativity which catalyses activities at a local level: A collaborative project, an infrastructure for urban participation and showcase of local skills, the art works exhibited will be viewed by the Luas passengers as well by passing by pedestrians. Crossing the physical boundaries: exhibiting in public open space instead of a gallery will fill the city with images which makes it richer, denser and more exciting to live in. The “Luas corridor”
Currently Arran Quay Terrace is dominated by the Luas: The “Luas corridor” is not a very welcoming road to walk on as it often is defined by “blind walls and fences and has little footfall and visual attractions. It needs livening up and being turned into a road for pedestrians as well as the Luas. The Art Tunnel will energise community life and the exhibited artwork will increase pedestrian activity and community liveability. Landmark
The Tunnel will also act as a landmark and help to create a distinctive urban identity for Smithfield. Produce of its inhabitants
A public space for the non- commercial creation/ production of neighbourhood desires shows that creative productivity is not the domain of artists only but a universal talent accessible and useful to everyone. This public art gallery will become a platform for expression and exchange and allows for a paradigm-change: a town is not made solely by town planners, architects and other trained professionals but is also a produce of it’s inhabitants. Future Use
As Gallery and local community pocket park, albeit access will for the time being to key holders only, parties interested can apply for a key. The site will be maintained by local stakeholders, organised by F&s (qualified Landscape Architects, Gardener). The space will be low maintenance and biodiversity friendly.
4 shows per year of work by local community groups and artists
Placemaking
Artist and landscape architect Sophie von Maltzan will work as curator with young artists, local schools, youth groups and residents to encourage spatial re- appropriation amongst the local community. Locals will be encouraged to express their relationship with Smithfield and produce and exhibit their own artwork. The produced Art will expose sociological movements and local desires. A garden
The art tunnel will- well in the nature of a garden- always be a work in progress as well as a civic act and activate further placemaking processes. It is also in the nature of the garden- gallery to look good and be a relaxing space to spend time in, even when no artwork is being exhibited. Its design is at the same time political and poetic as it aims above all to ‘create relationships between worlds’. It responds to presentiments and unease towards galleries twofold: informalising the gallery through placing it under the open sky surrounded by lush planting and through encouraging locals to exhibit. Significance on micro- scale
This is a gallery, but its main achievement will be introducing people to different ways of working and thinking and articulating through creative processes. Trying to “make” citizens who appropriate and interact with the public realm. Local interaction with the city through an intimate act like creating a piece of art with site-specific resonance encourages spatial appropriation. Significance on macro- scale
A case study to encourage residents to obtain access to and critically transform temporary misused or underused spaces, it acts as example for the variety of activities that open space can be used for. The tunnel does not need to be physically accessible for viewers of art work: in our climate we have a great tradition of enjoying scenery from a vehicle, protected from the elements. It promotes cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue for locals and Luas commuters, offering a richer variety of experiencing the City.
3. History
DCC City Architect Ali Grehan pointed F&S towards the site. The proposal for the Art tunnel was developed by F&S in consultation with the owner of the site, Block T artists studios, local residents and businesses. The suggested Art tunnel is approved by DCC and of such nature that planning permission will not be required.
