Smithfield Art Tunnel
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| Artist Name(s) | Fieldwork & Strategies |
| Artwork title | Smithfield Art Tunnel |
| Context/Background | The outdoor gallery prototype was tested in public at Bloom Garden Show 2011, for which Fieldwork & Strategies received a silver medal. A strip of wasteland along the Luas corridor in Smithfield was subsequently selected as a site for the outdoor art gallery, with the intention of activating the rundown urban area. |
| Description | Smithfield Art Tunnel (2012-2014) aimed to bring artworks into the public realm, by making them visible to passing pedestrians, and the 40,000+ passengers who use the Luas every day. Supported by local businesses and Dublin City Council, the venture aimed to provide a community park, garden and civic amenity, accessible to local key holders who might not have their own garden. |
| Mediation | Film about Smithfield Art Tunnel by Bryan O' Bryan for Irish Times: |
| Biographies | Sophie Graefin von Maltzan (Fieldwork & Strategies) is a Landscape Architect, Gardener and Artist (Edinburgh College of Art, Ecole Nationale Superieure de Versailles, Charles Cecil studios, Florence, Galabau Hamburg). Since 2006 she has worked on projects in Ireland and abroad, as well lecturing part time at the school of Landscape Architecture, UCD. Sophie von Maltzan is a registered member of The Irish Landscape Institute;Crafts Council Ireland; Garten Landschaftsbau ev. Germany; Dublin City Council Artists' Panel. |
| Commission Type | Independent Agent |
| Commissioner Name | Fieldwork & Strategies |
| Project commission dates | April 30, 2012 - February 28, 2014 |
| Partners | Dublin City Council |
| Artform | Visual Arts |
| Art Practice | Arts Participation |
| Project commission start date | 30/04/2012 |
| Project commission end date | 28/02/2014 |
| County | Dublin |
| Town | Dublin |
| Street Address | Smithfield |
| Website | www.arttunnelsmithfield.com/ |
| Content contributor(s) | Web Editor |
| Public engagement | Sophie von Maltzan worked with emerging artists, local schools, youth groups and residents to encourage participation amongst the local community. Local groups were encouraged to express their relationship with Smithfield by producing and exhibiting their artworks in the 'Community platform'. As a landmark in the area, the Art Tunnel aimed to create a distinctive urban identity for Smithfield, while informalising the gallery experience through placing it in the public realm. |
| Associated professionals / Specialists involved |
The proposal for the Art Tunnel was developed by Fieldwork & Strategies in consultation with the owner of the site, Block T artists’ studios, local residents and businesses. The suggested Art Tunnel was approved by DCC and of such nature that a planning application was not required. |
