About Ábhar agus Meon / Materials and Mentalities & the 6th World Archaeological Congress

Ábhar agus Meon is an international contemporary art exhibition series exploring relationships between the themes and practices of art and archaeology. It occurs as part of Ireland's hosting of the Sixth World Archaeological Congress in June/July 2008 at University College Dublin.

All events and exhibitions have been curated and directed by Ian Russell in collaboration with Niall Bergin, Supervisor, Kilmainham Gaol, Gabriel Cooney, Professor, School of Archaeology, UCD, Ruth Ferguson, Curator, Newman House, UCD, Christina Kennedy, Senior Curator, Irish Museum of Modern Art and Jerome O Drisceoil, Director, Green On Red Gallery.

For further details please see: www.amexhibition.com

The World Archaeological Congress is the only representative, fully international organization of practicing archaeologists. It encourages open dialogue among all people genuinely concerned with the past and about the nature and contemporary relevance of archaeological practice. More information can be found at: http://www.ucd.ie/wac-6.

Ábhar agus Meon will allow the public to respond to work from international artists exploring the relationships between materials, mentalities, heritage and time.

Ábhar agus Meon will be the first open international contemporary art exhibition exploring the relations between archaeological and artistic practice, and the exhibition has attracted international media attention:
‘World Archaeological Congress Sponsors Groundbreaking Exhibition’ -Current Archaeology, December 2007

The aims of Ábhar agus Meon are:

- To create an open forum where artists, academics
and members of the public can discuss modern
relationships to material culture and heritage

- To provide educational events allowing the public to respond to current debates in international art and archaeological research

- To create an open exhibition to promote the work of new and emerging artists

- To promote the discussion of contemporary art and archaeology in the Irish language

Ábhar agus Meon will occur in June/July 2008 at:

- UCD Belfield Campus
Exhibition
Temporary installations
Site specific performances
Permanent sculptural commission
- Newman House, Stephen’s Green
Group show with Green on Red Gallery

- Irish Museum of Modern Art
Audio tour installation at Royal Hospital Kilmainham

- Hugh Lane Gallery
Excavation of Francis Bacon’s Studio exhibition

Ábhar agus Meon will be designed to tour, and the Ulster
Museum has expressed interest in hosting it in 2009.

Artists commissioned and programmed include:

Newman House, UCD, 85-86 St Stephen’s Green

Health Sciences Gallery, UCD

Outdoor performances, Belfield Campus, UCD

Public sculpture commission, Belfield Campus, UCD