Press Release
RSUA Two Minds: Artists and Architects Initiative
Image by participant Louise Rice ‘Us Two,’ Glass and Mixed Media.
Initiated the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) in collaboration with Arts & Business, the Two Minds project is an ambitious art and architecture collaboration exploring the synergy and outcomes from creative dialogue. Involving ten of the region’s leading Architects’ Practices teamed with ten individual artists from Ireland: North and South, and abroad for a 6 month period.
“Interest and activity in the field of collaborative practice between artists and architects is growing rapidly” as Jes Fernie says in her recent book “Two Minds” on the subject of collaboration. However, rather than being brought into fill the blank walls or spaces of buildings, conversations regarding aesthetic, spatial and conceptual uses related to buildings are now happening as well as to the public realm, as promoted by the Arts Council in the ‘Urban Alchemy’ Conference in the Waterfront Hall in Belfast. Local examples like Laganside Corporation’s enhancements of the river public realm together with the integration of art into buildings such as the Mater Hospital and the New Bar Library show interest in continuing this debate. It is hoped that the outcome will form an interesting exhibition and debate whilst furthering the collaboration concept.
Two Minds was launched on 16th February and Guest of Honour was Trevor Leaker, President of RSUA. Commending the organisers of Two Minds and RSUA Events Convenor John Reid as instigator, Trevor Leaker, described Two Minds as “an initiative that perfectly illustrates the intentions and potential of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects as an agency of advocacy and collaboration.”
The practices involved read as a who’s who of Northern Ireland’s architects. There are six from Belfast itself: Robinson McIlwaine Architects, Robinson Patterson Architects, Todd Architects, Kennedy Fitzgerald & Associates, Hall Black Douglas Architects, Mackel & Doherty Architects. These are joined by practices from the regions: Hegarty Architects and Caroline Dickson Architects, Derry; Studio Rogers Architects from Coleraine and Keys & Monaghan Architects from Fermanagh. All the practices involved have experience in arts and culture projects but this will be the first time that any have had an artist in residence for six months
The artists who have been selected include leading national names, emerging innovative talent and international exponents in the field. They are Dara McGrath, Dublin, Gerry Murphy, Co. Down, Lucy Turner, Bangor, Tara Kennedy, Dublin, Louise Rice, Armagh, Brian Connolly, Antrim, Tony Stallard, Essex, Janet Preston, Belfast, Lulu Quinn, N. Wiltshire and Adam Kalinowski, Poland.
Art disciplines practised by the selected artists include: public art, sculpture, site-specific temporary and permanent interventions, light and sound installations, earthworks, land art, digital art, animation, textiles, glass art, printmaking and painting. The diversity of approaches is perfectly suited to architect’s terrain; the public realm and built environment.
Partnerships were determined at the recent launch and are; Gerry Murphy / Keys and Monaghan Architects, Dara McGrath / Robinson McIlwaine Architects, Lucy Turner / Hegarty Architects, Tara Kennedy / Studio Rogers Architects, Louise Rice / Caroline Dickson Architects, Brian Connolly / Robinson Patterson Architects, Tony Stallard / Hall Black Douglas Architects, Janet Preston / Kennedy Fitzgerald Architects, Lulu Quinn / Mackel & Doherty Architects, Adam Kalinowski / Todd Architects.