Located in the Castle Park, Alan Meredith’s ‘The Fold’ stretches over eight metres providing plenty of space for socially distanced gatherings. James Horan’s ‘Figures on a Pedestal’ in Butler House Gardens are carved from white Italian marble with one male figure, carved from Butlers Grove limestone quarried just outside Kilkenny city. Saidhbhín Gibson’s ‘40 Assorted Dressings for the Prickly Pear’ is a playful piece whereby dressings have been specially made for injured parts of a plant, akin to buying a packet of 40 assorted plasters for cuts and bruises.
There is a poignant undercurrent to much of the works on display. ‘One Million Stars‘ at the Medieval Mile Museum is a project born from the Amber Women’s Refuge to raise awareness of domestic violence. Rajinder Singh’s ‘Un-migrant-ing’ features five caged birdhouses reflecting Direct Provision Centres in Ireland.
The opening of CONNECTED coincides with the launch of Kilkenny Arts Festival and the opening of the new Butler Gallery at Evans Home. A range of self-directed activities are planned for the trail along with behind-the-scenes chats with makers.
Whether you choose to meander through the city or actively engage, CONNECTED will demonstrate the power and beauty of artistic expression in revealing the extent of our inter dependency and connection. The trail invites locals and visitors to discover Kilkenny through fresh eyes and to re-connect with culture outside of a gallery setting. CONNECTED runs until October 2020.
CONNECTED reminds us of the importance and fragility of our human connections, with family, friends and wider global society. It also reflects on our deep interconnection with the natural world which each generation holds in trust for the next.
Venues include: Kilkenny Castle, Castle Yard, Butler House Garden, Medieval Mile Museum, Rothe House, Butler Gallery and sites throughout Kilkenny City.
Click below to view Trail Map
We live in an age in which it is easy to feel disconnected...
The uncertainty and confinement of recent months has made many of us feel more isolated. Others have felt a strong need to ground themselves, to spend time in nature, to grow, bake or make. It is often in these simple ways that we reconnect with the natural world and what matters most. While individually we stand two meters apart, we are far from alone; each of us is a family member, a friend, a neighbour. We have begun to realise that we are part of a complex web of people across the globe – each vulnerable to illness or catastrophe. We also hold responsibility, to ensure what we do will not negatively impact others. While individual, we are not separate.
small spaces of silence in between borrowed breaths arms tighten at the whisper of a name
― Eileen Carney Hulme ‘Belonging’
Connection is possibly the deepest need of human beings...
For most of our evolutionary history, humans lived very differently than we do now. People lived collectively within a community; it was uncommon to live alone. People hunted, foraged, or grew most of their food, giving them an understanding of natural cycles. These closer relationships weren’t perfect, but people had a sense of interdependence, community, and belonging.
Connection with the Natural World
As we emerge from our homes into a changed world, this project celebrates our collective solidarity, connectivity, resilience and creativity. CONNECTED reminds us of the importance and fragility of our human connections, with family, friends and wider global society. It also reflects on our deep interconnection with the natural world which each generation holds in trust for the next.
An external exhibition
Designed as an external exhibition CONNECTED allows audiences to re-connect with culture and craft, outside of a museum setting. Recognised as the home of craft and design in Ireland, this new sculpture trail opens up heritage gardens at the heart of Kilkenny city, and encourages us to rediscover our city through fresh eyes. Beginning from the courtyard of Castle Yard and lush Butler House Gardens, the exhibition trail leads you through the cities key cultural and historic sites from Kilkenny Castle Park to Medieval Mile, Butler Gallery at Evan’s Home to Rothe House. The exhibition will be accompanied by self-directed workshops and activities for all ages.
Education & Outreach
Words of Isolation | Words of Connection – Click Here
Culture Night Programme 2020 – Click Here
Liz’s Mobile Discovery Studio – To Register Click Here
Culture Night Live Online Workshop: Paper Blossoms – Click Here
Culture Night Live Online Workshop: Gestural Papercuts with Paul Bokslag – Click Here
Guided tours of the National Design & Craft Gallery – Book Now
