Filed under: Ireland, Lauren Selden, anecdotes, art, gallery, personal intrests, travel | Tags: 1900, architecture, art, artwork, carvings, Dublin, Gambi, Ireland, Italy, Lauren Selden, national gallery ireland, tourist, travel, wood, Wood carving, woodwork
So as you know, the last time I visited the National Gallery of Ireland- I never made it out of the bookshop. Well I recently re-visited the gallery, deciding this time to check out the exhibitions before the retail! The gallery houses an exquisite collection of classical-styled artwork, including a beautiful wing featuring Irish painters. But, in spite of all the marvelous paintings, I was most taken with the fantastic woodcarvings in the Milltown Wing of the Gallery.
The carvings cover every door frame and are breathtakingly intricate. I spoke with one of the security guards, who told me the rather fascinating history of the carvings. Apparently they were done by a famous Italian woodcarver by the name of Gambi and his apprentice – without ever setting foot in Ireland. In 1900, the National Gallery sent off all the dimensions for the door surrounds to Sicily, in Italy and a year later all the carved pieces arrived in Dublin where they were installed. I’ve been told that they are walnut wood, and in person they give off the most beautiful sheen. The carvings are definitely a must see for those visiting Dublin!
Filed under: Ireland, Lauren Selden, anecdotes, art, craft, film and video, food, gallery, installation, travel | Tags: 4 dame lane, adventure, architecture, art, art gallery, bookstore, Dublin, experimental film, food, gallery, IMMA, Ireland, Lauren Selden, national gallery ireland, Post, shopping, st. patricks cathedral, study abroad, tourist, travel, vegan, video art, wagamama
It’s been a busy few days over here. Last Thursday I was part of a media/art exhibition at a club here in Dublin known only by the mysterious name, 4 Dame Lane. It was a fairly low tech production, as you might be able to tell from the ‘vintage’ televisions our work was shown on, but it gave the night a fun bohemian flair. The piece I had included is one from 2007, called Waiting.
After the fun and excitement of Thursday night, and a great potluck hosted by NYU students on Friday night on Saturday we did the gallery circuit. Along with some fellow exchange students we headed first to IMMA, the Irish Museum of Modern Art. IMMA is located in the most beautiful building on a hilltop just outside of the city center. The grounds are beautiful and they have a wonderful sculpture garden. The main show right now is called Exquisite Corpse- and among all the great artwork there was also a fun room where you could draw your own exquisite corpses with friends. We all had great fun drawing them up, give art students a DIY project and they’ll go wild for sure! (you can see the results in my Flickr album)
After IMMA we strolled our way back into the city, stopping at a few unnamed hole in the wall galleries (which I find can often be the most interesting). We made a pit stop at St. Patricks Cathedral and then headed for a bite. Wagamama’s is a UK restaurant chain that serves up Asian style cuisine- we all really enjoyed it, especially Aino who is vegan. The restaurant actually has its’ own vegan menu which is perfect for her, and others like her!
We did visit the National Gallery after, but I admit we didn’t visit in the typical way. You see, the Gallery Shop is right in the entrance of the gallery- and by the time we’d checked out every nook and cranny (and bought most of it) the gallery itself had closed! Please forgive us and our retail therapy. We all made a pact to go back again for a real visit. In the meantime, you can enjoy the beautiful architecture of the gallery lobby. What great shapes!
Also: a tiny little p.s. but a BIG thank you to everyone who has sent me some snail mail- I think I’ve become addicted to both giving and getting it!
