As clear as the waters of the Liffey…

There’s been a bit of confusion over the massive public sculpture project by Antony Gormley intended for the Dublin Docklands. On the 16th of January the Irish Times ran a story announcing the approval of planning permission for the work by Dublin City Council, only to be followed the next day with news of the project being scrapped due to budget reasons.

eh?

Yesterday’s Sunday Times has refuted the refutation, quoting the sculptor and DDDA arts manager Mary McCarthy as stating the project is still ‘full steam ahead’. The €1.6 million sculpture, nearly always mentioned with reference to its height (‘almost as tall as the Statue of Liberty’, ‘nearly as high as Liberty Hall’, ‘bigger than Rio’s Christ the Redeemer’) apparently may be started as early as the summer, though the DDDA website lists a project completion date of 2012.

Here’s looking forward to the inevitable bestowing of the Dub nickname… the Jock in the Dock? Stud in the Mud? Any suggestions welcome…

Belfast Film Fest & Silent Clowns

Jameson Belfast Film Festival 2009

The Jameson Belfast Film Festival is now recruiting volunteers! Details of the full programme will be launched at the end of February, but already they’re advertising Paul Merton & his ‘Silent Clowns‘ tour as a highlight event… anyone who knows me & my husband also knows we’re silent film buffs (yes, we had a Laurel & Hardy-themed wedding reception) so this is great news! And speaking of silent film, get ye to the closing-down Zaavi in Dundrum for a fantastic Charlie Chaplin box set, cheap as chips…

Irish Architecture Foundation website launch

Irish Architecture Foundation website

On Friday the Irish Architecture Foundation launched its new website– very swish! Super design, rich content– it’s one of the best Irish arts sites I’ve seen. Podcasts, blogs, lectures through streaming video… it’s long been a pet peeve of mine how poorly many arts orgs use the web, but I’m delighted to see the IAF taking up the gauntlet. It’s a marvellous organisation, with wonderful programmes (Open House Dublin) and exhibitions (the latest Venice Biennale entry ‘The Lives of Spaces‘ was elegant and provoking)– and the new site sets it all off perfectly.

Ok, enough gushing, go check it out now for yourself…

Happy new year!

I’m back at last after extended travels with only occasional computer access (no bad thing!)

The Jobs page has been updated, and I have a few other event/opportunity announcements:

  • The Dublin Fringe Festival has already begun recruiting volunteers interns for the 2009 festival
  • The Centre for Nonprofit Management at Trinity is offering an excellent (if pricey) fundraising course in May (sign-ups are limited to 40 participants)

I look forward to bringing you more news, announcements & commentary on Irish arts management in ’09!

🙂 Emily