Giant elk spotted
at Dunree
05.07.21
OVER the month of July
visitors to Linsfort should notice some added
attractions to the breathtaking landscape as they walk
around the grounds at Fort Dunree.
Artlink have invited seven artists to help create Begin
the Begin, an outdoor art trail. Walking around the site
at Fort Dunree, visitors will encounter sculptures along
the pathways, installations on platforms, inside pill
boxes and in some cases invitations to interact with the
works. |
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Kevin Harkin created a giant elk on the
grounds at Dunree Fort. |
The participating artists
are Noel Brady, Catherine Ellis, Brendan Farren, Julie
Griffiths, Kevin Harkin, Kate McSharry, and Sue Morris.
They were inspired by the concept of “Turas” - a term
meaning pilgrimage or journey - which was chosen to form
part of the “Colmcille 1500” celebrations marking the
legacy of St Colmcille. Each artist has created work
which they feel complements both the theme and the
special location at Fort Dunree.
The artworks are diverse: from installations in
corrugated iron, concrete and sound to sculptures using
wood and willow; from journeys walking across the grass
to evocations of journeys past, across the ocean. |
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Sue Morris’ work is a
site-responsive installation located in one of the
pillboxes, perched on the headland looking out to the
Atlantic. The work is a gentle intervention; its intent
is to dis-arm or neutralize the building of its original
usage.
Brendan Farren has created a wooden arch. Every journey
begins with that first intentional step, crossing the
threshold between the ordinary and the sacred, and this
arch will define and delineate this beginning, your
first step into the other.
Catherine Ellis’ piece explores departure. Looking out
at the calm waters of Lough Swilly it’s difficult to
imagine that the waves can be as high as houses out in
the open sea. This work is inspired by anyone who has
had to take that journey, now or in the past.
Julie Grifiths will produce a path by walking it
repeatedly, over the time of the exhibition, as an
invitation to others to follow. This path will dissolve
back into the landscape after the exhibition ends.
Kate McSharrys concrete sculptures are accompanied by
audio that encourages the viewer to take time to pause;
feel the ground beneath.
Kevin Harkin decided to build his own corrugated lookout
tower in the form of a mobile Irish Elk, ready for
battle to defend our right to move freely like deer.
Noel Brady's sculptures are vessels for gathering, which
echo the form of wicker baskets and creels, shaped in
part like ballistic shells. Visitors are encouraged to
carry with them a stone to locate in the container.
Begin the Begin can be seen at Fort Dunree daily from sunrise to sunset. Entrance to the grounds is
free.
Update: The exhibition has recently been extended.
Visitors can now enjoy ‘The Armoured Irish Elk’,
Gathering, Turas Arch, Forever and Always and Still
Standing Standing Still until the end of September 2021.
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