Nov. 08' - Gareth Kennedy

Gareth Kennedy discusses two projects, The Future of Ice and MacNeanScapes, which he recently instigated in his local community. Kennedy has completed four projects to date which involve children and young people and is currently embarking on a break from working in this context to reflect on the developments so far. Kennedy compares the approach and the structure of these two projects, questions the relevance of this engagement within his practice and vocalizes concerns with the commissioning process.

About the artist:

Gareth's practice is based in co. Leitrim. He describes his work as the non-gallery based fabrication of pseudo-functional, vulnerable structures or objects installed in the public domain, which are dependent on either their environment or audience response. Over the last six months, he has extended his practice into the community in which he is resident and in which his work is created, in order to form links between his works and the places in which they are situated. He has been involved in projects with adults, senior citizens, children and young people. Gareth and artist Sarah Browne, with whom he has a collaborative practice, have been selected to represent Ireland in the Venice Biennale for 2009.

About the Projects:

Both of these projects are self-initiated. The Future of Ice took place over three days and was a geographical and environmental exploration of the Glenade Valley in Co. Leitrim. Approximately 10 young people ages 10 – 15 were involved plus a specialist in the glacial history of the landscape. Kennedy describes MacNeanScapes as more amoebic in nature, involving a transition year from Blacklion and relevant specialists in an exploration of the Lough MacNean landscape and environment over a twelve-week period.

Click the links below to read more... and see video interviews

Images provided by Yvonne Cullivan