Architecture at the Edge Festival is known for its inspired cultural experiences — and this year is no different as the festival once again presents a compelling programme, featuring installations, exhibitions, film screenings, workshops, talks, tours and much more to explore this autumn.
The 2024 edition of the Architecture at the Edge festival will include the presentation of ‘In Search of Hy-Brasil – Ireland’s national pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023’. The project examines the relationship between the islands of Ireland and their natural environment and puts our islands’ diverse communities, culture, and experiences right at the centre of the discourse surrounding our shared future.
In bringing the installation to Galway, the curators hope to share their project with an Irish audience, and through a supporting programme of events, initiate a series of conversations around a shared vision for a more sustainable future.
On Culture Night September 20 in the Festival Printworks Gallery, an opening address will be given by Maureen Kennelly, Director of The Arts Council which will be followed by a roundtable discussion with the Curatorial Team of Ireland’s Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023: Peter Carroll, Peter Cody, Elizabeth Hatz, Mary Laheen, and Joseph Mackey.
On Sunday September 22, the festival presents an opportunity to attend an exclusive screening of the film ‘Ag Lorg Hy-Brasil’ at The Town Hall Theatre. This special event includes a sneak peek at the eagerly awaited film documenting the making of ‘In search of Hy-Brasil’, with the creative team in attendance a post-show discussion will follow. The film ruminates on an ancient, mythical island off the Connemara coast and explores how it inspired Ireland’s national pavilion at the Biennale in 2023.
Exhibitions and installations also include 'Fantasy Islands’ by Sophie Kelliher and David Lawless, a site-specific, seaside installation ‘An Bothan Cladach’, by London based duo Genevieve O’Sullivan and Luca Puzzoni, RAT Office;WAY is a body of research and examinations of potential futures for Mulranny proposed by a multidisciplinary team of landscape architects, artists and educators led by Brock Finucane Architects,
The Landscape Rehearsals by BothAnd Group, explores indigenous ways of knowing and managing the land – opening the debate on place-based food production systems for a changing climate. A large drawing in the exhibition depicts clachán settlements and roinn dáil – an indigenous landscape management practice found in the Pre-Famine landscapes of the west of Ireland. On Friday, October 4, at the Mick Lally Theatre there will be a presentation by Proctor and Matthews Architects whom will be joined by Eoin Flaherty, Maynooth University to discuss on how the historic Irish Clachan clusters can inspire narratives for new residential development. An approach which proffers an alternative to ubiquitous low density, car-dominated suburbia.
Varied programme
Architecture at the Edge Festival Director, Frank Monahan said organisers are delighted to present and commission such a varied programme of work as part of this year’s Festival.
“We wanted to expand on the themes explored via Hy-Brasil and offer a platform for others to open further questions and actions on the potential future of our Island with relevance to the broader cultural, material, ecological and environmental challenges that we face.
“From the large-scale central presentation “In Search if Hy Brasil’ to an architectural installation within the maritime environment of Galway Docks and Noreile Breen’s beautiful photographic study of the ‘humanised’ constructed landscape of Inis OÍrr, we have an excellent selection of exhibitions running throughout the Festival. I would like to thank all the artists, the installation team and our partner venues for all their amazing work this year.”
The 2024 Architecture at the Edge Festival programme also includes; A Keynote Address by architect Shane deBlacam – Sept 27, 5–8pm. O’Donoghue Theatre, at University of Galway. Celebrated Architect Shane deBlacam received the Royal Academy of Arts Architecture Prize in London in 2023 and as part of AATE Festival 2024 there will be an opportunity to hear Shane’s lecture in full, followed by a conversation moderated by artist, architect and journalist Marko Milonanovic, recipient of the RA residency created in honour of Shane. To complete the line-up of the evening, architects Cian Deegan and Alice Casey from TAKA Architects will be in Galway to present their work.
(Architect Shane deBlacam. Photo: by Amelia Stein )
Helena McElmeel Architects, with the assistance of Galway-based artists Joanna McGlynn, Jennifer Cunningham and Leah Beggs have placed a pair of interactive installations at Kilbeg and Knockferry piers.
471m of water separates the communities to east and west of Lough Corrib - it takes five minutes by boat or 50 minutes by car to connect these communities. The project brought together young people on both sides of the lake through a series of fieldtrips and collaborative design workshops, connecting both communities to the water, built heritage and piers of Lough Corrib.
‘Samhlú Salthill’ is a new installation by UrbanLab Galway at this year’s Festival. Salthill Park transforms into a canvas for reimagining urban spaces, with a focus on the Leisureland complex.
Step into a world of possibility as anamorphic art shifts your perspective, offering a unique view of Leisureland, Galway’s iconic swimming pool and concert venue and it’s future. Use your smartphone to engage with the installation, unlocking additional layers of imagination and interactivity.
Donal Dineen is an Irish DJ, radio presenter and film maker. Dónal will be hosting a special live edition of his Once Upon A Sound video series at AATE where he’ll be exploring music as a source of inspiration for creative minds working in other media. Architect and TV presenter Róisín Murphy is amongst the guests whom are invited to choose a selection of audio recordings that they would take with them if they were to be cast away on a desert island as a jump-off point for a discussion about the role sound plays in their practice.
Summerage is a new rural retreat situated in The Burren, one of Europe’s most unique landscapes. Founded by slow food restaurateur and slow fashion entrepreneur Aoibheann McNamara, Summerage is a revived 32 acre farmstead situated in a special area of conservation with 360 degree views of Ireland’s most biodiverse region in the west coast of Ireland dedicated to ‘slow living’. Join Architect Mike Haslam for an exclusive guided tour of the property and escape into the heart of a glacio karst landscape gifting space, time and a deeper connection with nature.
The Story of Hospitality is written by Jennie Moran, Luncheonette, and animated by dance artist Roberta Ceginskaite and accompanied by musician Seamas Hyland. This performance is a celebration of the gorgeous system we have invented for welcoming strangers on our Island. What is hospitality and why does it matter? We will delve into the origins of this poetic practice, the risks involved, the philosophy behind it, the strict rules, the honour attached to it and the folklore that surrounds it.
Or join Archaeologist Michael Gibbons, on Field Trips to Inis Mór, Clare and Inishbofin Island, or travel to Inisturk and meet Island native Jack Heanue whom will be more than happy to talk about life on the island and the plans for helping this small community to survive into the future. Inisturk is one of the real true gems sitting offshore our Island waiting for you to visit.
Architecture at the Edge strives to be an accessible and enjoyable festival for everyone. The majority of #AATE24 Festival events are FREE TO ATTEND. Architecture at the Edge Festival would like to acknowledge the support of its principal funder the Arts Council; its Corporate Sponsors; and Supporting Partners in making this possible.
Architecture at the Edge Festival ‘Islands’ will run from Friday September 20 through Sunday October 6, 2024.
Full details are available at https://www.architectureattheedge.com/ or follow @ArchAtTheEdge for updates.
