Year
of the Artist Residency of the Ards Borough Council
This
project is part of the nation-wide Year of the Artist Programme,
initiated
by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and supported by the arts
committee
of the Ards Borough Council. The programme intends to promote
greater
awareness of the role and status of the artist in society.
In
our proposal for this residency, we intended to bring together the three
disciplines
of architecture, sculpture and textile art as equal partners.
The
project has the aim to create a multi-disciplinary approach to
architecture
and sculpture and to facilitate new technologies to create
international
work-relationships within these areas.
The
inital proposal was based on a disused building structure in the Ards
area
with the aim of creating a work of sculptural architecture, reflecting
its
former purpose, history, users and environment. The work is intended to
be
temporary for a 4-8 week period, if no permanent use of the structure,
as
a
shelter or pavilion for example, can be found. During the planning stage
we
want to work via Internet and e-mail between Florence and Newtownards,
while
the hands-on realisation stage at the location takes place between 15
and
27 April 2001, using fabric, natural and recycled material where
possible.
The official opening will be on the 27 April 2001.