Cloud Star Boat Map

Artist Name(s) Grace Weir
Artwork title Cloud Star Boat Map
Context/Background In a development plan set out by Dublin Corporation in the early 1990s, a number of buildings in West Essex Street, dating from the 1780s to early 1900s, were renovated to accommodate a tourism and cultural flag ship project in the centre of Temple Bar. One of these buildings was St. Michael and John's Roman Catholic Church, one of the city's oldest Catholic churches, pre-dating the repeal of the Penal Laws and Catholic Emancipation. The project was developed to reflect the history of Viking Dublin, to display artefacts and to ‘bring history alive using interactive material to tell the story of the Vikings and the Wood Quay archaeology site’. The Viking Centre was subsequently completed in 1997, but ran into financial difficulties soon after opening.
Description

In 1997 Artist Grace Weir was commissioned to develop an artwork to accompany the new Viking Centre. She created a concrete mural for the Essex Street facade of the building, which also encompasses an interior courtyard. A complex line drawing was carved into the concrete surface, creating tactile appeal. The artwork depicts a longboat, and has been described as having the appearance of a map, atlas or chart, in keeping with the nautical theme. Conversely, the square tiles creating a grid-like backdrop, and the word ‘Pegasus’ inscribed into the concrete, both seem suggestive of a skyward glancing perspective, associated with astrology and constellations of the northern sky.

Mediation

Overview of project by Lisa Cassidy on her blog ‘Built Dublin’: http://builtdublin.com/concrete-mural-essex-street-west-temple-bar-dublin-2/

For more information on the architecture and development of the ‘Viking Centre’ building see: http://www.dmod.ie/entertainment-leisure/viking-centre/

http://www.gilroymcmahon.com/projects/cultural/theatre.htm

For more information on the development of Templebar see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Development_and_preservation_in_Dublin

Biographies

Grace Weir studied at the National College of Art and Design, followed by a M.Sc at Trinity College, Dublin. She represented Ireland at the 49th International Venice Biennale and is currently Artist-in-Residence in the School Of Physics and Science Gallery, Trinity College Dublin. Her work has been widely exhibited in Ireland and internationally, as outlined on her website

Commission Type Local Authority
Commissioner Name Temple Bar Properties
Commissioning process Open competition
Partners Dublin Corporation; Dublin Tourism
Artform Visual Arts
Funded By Dublin City Council
Percent for art Yes
Budget Range 0 - 10000 euro
Project commission end date 31/12/1997
County Dublin
Town Dublin
Street Address Essex St. West, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Content contributor(s) Web Editor
Associated professionals / Specialists involved

Gilroy McMahon Architects

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Nazareth Housing Association provides independent living houses for individuals and couples who are 65 and over and on the Sligo County Council housing list.  Nazareth Village is comprised of 48 houses in a garden setting.  The Village was financed as a public-private partnership between Nazareth Housing Association and Sligo County Council with funding from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.  

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