18/5/2000
Trails
Arthouse, Dublin
Katie Holten will present DIG in Arthouse, Dublin as part of the Urban
Walking Experience symposium and accompanying Trails exhibition.
Weeds and other seedlings will be transplanted from footpaths, squares and
building sites in Temple Bar by the artist while out on recreational walks
prior to the exhibition. At the same time cuttings will be taken, drawings
made, notes taken.
These plants will be propagated in the Gallery where they will remain for
trails. The weeds are left to their own devices for the duration. After
the exhibition they will be redistributed into the public spaces of Temple
Bar.
The DIG project is concerned with the urban regeneration developments
taking place in Dublin, across the island of Ireland, and abroad. DIG
incorporates drawings and other research work for the development of a
useless, imaginary system connecting various locations throughout Europe.
This ambitious plant-work has to date had related DIG's take place in Paris,
France; Amsterdam, Holland; Cardiff, Wales; and London; England.
The urban walking experience is a series of lectures, guided walks,
exhibitions, films and dance performances that explore the nature of walking
in a rapidly developing city. The urban environment impacts on the walker
in many ways. In the greater Dublin area 51% of school children walk to
school and 17% of adults walk to work. The private car is the most
important means of transport in and around the city. While traffic speeds
fall from year to year increased levels of traffic and assorted noise and
particular pollution make walking in the city a less inviting option. Yet
it is vital that cities promote walking.
The Dublin Institute of Technology with the support of Dublin Corporation
and Temple Bar Gallery and Studios is hosting a lecture and workshop
programme on the theme of the Urban Walking Experience.
The objectives of this event are:
- To use a broad range of experiences to develop guidelines that can be
taken up by planners and common groups to allow walking (the most
sustainable means of movement) take place in a more sustaining context.
- To identify the key issues relating to the pedestrian experience in an
urban environment.
- To examine the feasibility of establishing a forum on walking in Dublin
that acts as a focus for the development of strategies to promote walking in
the urban and periurban environment.
The lectures and workshops will be hosted over two days in the Temple Bar
area of Dublin and are supported by a series of exhibitions and live
performances that will open up discussion of the urban walking experience to
a wider audience.
Guest Speakers:
Jim Walker, director The London Walking Forum
Owen Keegan, Director of Traffic, Dublin Corporation
Tom coffey, Dublin City Centre Business Association
Siobhan Ni Eanaigh, Mc GarryNi Eanaigh
Frank Mc Gee, Chief Executive, Dublin Tourism
Paddy Murphy, Director, Irish Heart Foundation
Field Visits:
Smithfield area of Dublin
Henry Street and Wolfe Tone Park
Grand Canal, a greenway development
Historic Dublin, guided tour and critique
Howth Head
For furhter information contact:
Vaari Claffey at 00353 (0)1 6710073 tbgs@indigo.ie
Ken Boyle at 00353 (0)1 4023503 ken.boyle@dit.ie
Sinead O' Connor at 00353 (0)1 4027833 sinead.oconnor@dit.ie