Walking Silvermines / Siúlóid Béal Átha Gabhann
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| Artist Name(s) | Fiona Woods, Clive Moloney, Sally-Anne McFadden, David Wrenne & the people of Silvermines |
| Artwork title | Walking Silvermines / Siúlóid Béal Átha Gabhann |
| Context/Background | This is a public artwork arising from a previous work Silvermines; a psychogeography which began when Fiona Woods was appointed visual-artist-in-residence for North Tipperary (2007). In response to that first project, Woods wanted to create something with and for the community of Silvermines, something that would reflect and address their desire for a tourism industry, presently absent as a result of the contamination of lands and watercourses with toxic materials from mineworks in the area. The Silvermines community are very keen to present their 'heritage' to the public, so Walking Silvermines / Siúlóid Béal Átha Gabhann attempts to provide such an opportunity, whilst simultaneously reflecting critically on the way that the Heritage Industry packages a place and a past for tourist consumption. |
| Description | A 'walking project', which takes the form of a book, a map, a website and 12 locations in Silvermines and the surrounding area. The work sets out to activate physical and narrative spaces, drawing on material that was presented by the community of Silvermines an ongoing process of public consultation. As such, it is designed to extend the notion of psychogeography that informed the first project, employing and elaborating upon the overlaps, contradictions, harmonies and inconsistencies that are inherent in the construction of pasts. |
| Mediation | The project developed over four years, involving numerous workshops, public meetings, walks, the circulation of newsletters within the community, a consultation website, various articles in local press and the placement of reference documents at key public places in the village. The work has been discussed in an interview on the Australian radio programme Artworks. |
| Biographies | Fiona Woods |
| Commission Type | The Arts Council |
| Commissioning process | Self-initiated, following an initial commission from North Tipperary County Council |
| Public Presentation dates | July 31, 2011 - January 1, 1970 |
| Artform | Other,Visual Arts |
| Art Practice | Arts Participation |
| Funded By | The Arts Council,North Tipperary County Council |
| Budget Range | 10000 - 30000 euro |
| Location | Various sites, Silvermines and online |
| County | Tipperary |
| Town | Silvermines |
| Website | www.walkingsilvermines.net/ |
| Content contributor(s) | Fiona Woods |
| Relationship to project | Lead artist |
| Public engagement | The community of Silvermines were engaged during an initial project Imaginary Museum (2007) and through a series of public consultation workshops and events between October 2008 and April 2011. Local people participated in the making of the audio works and are invited to create a Guidebook Economy, using a free download from the website which they can sell to visitors. A wider community in North Tipperary is informed via local press, and the website is linked to Shannon Development Walkways website. |
| Associated professionals / Specialists involved | Clive Moloney, (contributing artist) |
