BLOCK T

CONTENTS

ABOUT BLOCK T - 3 VISION AND MISSION - 4RELEVANCE - 5GOALS AND OBJECTIVES - 6LOCATION - 7HISTORY - 8MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE - 9 STUDIOS - 10GALLERY - 11EXHIBITIONS - 12PHOTOIRELAND FESTIVAL - 13 GRADUATE AWARD - 14IN_FLUX ART FAIR - 15WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES - 16COLLABORATION – DUBLINTELLECTUAL - 17COLLABORATION – UM - 19THEATRE/DANCE - 20MUSIC - 21INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE - 22TESTIMONIALS - 23ARTICLES, REVIEWS, PRESS - 24PREVIOUS POSTERS - 26PARTNERSHIPS / AFFILIATIONS - 28MAP - 29SUPPORTS - 30

ABOUT BLOCK T

BLOCK T is a cooperative organisation, run on a voluntary basis, that is operating from a former tile warehouse factory located on Smithfield Square, in Dublin’s inner city. This 8,000 square-foot building encompasses eleven resident artist stu-dios, a large versatile gallery space, an analogue photography darkroom and a number of multi-functional workshop and performance areas.

3

Block T Studios

Block T Studio artists exhibition

Block T Gallery

VISION AND MISSION

BLOCK T aims to position itself as a leading multidisciplinary organisationthrough education, information, exchange and innovation in Ireland.

BLOCK T aspires to transcend the status of purely being an arts centre. While it certainly- and im-portantly- fills this role, its wider mission is to pro-vide a platform for creative thinking of all avenues fostering philosophical, social and technologi-cal innovation on any level. It strives to facilitate individuals to bridge the gap between theory and practice in their art or discipline through educa-tion, information, exchange and support. BLOCK T sees itself as a cultural movement rather than a space. With an internal focused business and management structure we aim to act as a pi-lot to existing or emerging organisations of a simi-lar kind. Due to its multidisciplinary nature this model could be easily adaptable and customised to any organisation of any scale and capacity.

4

UMJaygo Bloom in conversation

Block T classroom

RELEVANCE

BLOCK T represents the best in artists initiatives by providing quality studio spaces and facilities to emerging national and international artists, hous-ing a purpose designed exhibition space, instigat-ing a dynamic curatorial programme and nurtur-ing a vital forum for interdisciplinary creative discourse.

BLOCK T’s multifunctional attitude and transforma-tive nature lends itself to a flexibility that reaches a broad demographic. With it’s open door policy and competitive positioning in the cultural and social sectors BLOCK T seeks to cover unbroken ground between traditional institutions and alternative spaces within the city.

5

“BLOCK T has a distinct energy and ethos that is vi-tal for the city and in particular this area of Dublin”.

Brian Fay Lecturer, D.I.T.

UM 2011

GOALS AND OBJECTIVESTo build a unique and sustainable enterprise.

To create a free public archive that includes work from artists, groups and individuals who have collaborated with the organisation. This will be done through online cataloging and a yearly publication.

To build upon national and international relationships which allow the exchange of skills, knowledge and ideas.

To further develop the visual arts programme enabling BLOCK T curated shows with the ambition of introducing art forms not currently well established in Dublin.

To establish BLOCK T as an organisation that can independently produce and curate off-site events.

To provide additional facilities in the building for the presentation and production of work.

To secure administrative budgets in order to fund the resource of management and administration.

To consistently improve the management and programming in order to ensure greater quality of work and activities within the premises.

To include a broader range of services and activities within the space. (Workshops, classes, talks, screenings and discussions).

To secure funding to realise these goals.6

LOCATION

BLOCK T is situated in Smithfield Square south. This area is proposed to be a vibrant hub of activ-ity in Dublin City Council’s Enhancement Plan;

“it is envisaged that the greater level of activity will occur at the south end…Events, markets etc will expand out from this area, it acting like a lung”. Smithfield and its surrounding area houses a di-verse demographic. This cultural and multi-social quarter parallels the multidisciplinary approach that BLOCK T defines itself by. It also has a direct link to the Smithfield Area Business Association who play a vital role in the regeneration plan.

The current economic climate allowed BLOCK T to develop, providing the opportunity to play an ac-tive role in the future cultural landscape of Smith-field.BLOCK T are responding to this vision of Smithfield by Dublin City Council and the city by showcas-ing Smithfield’s heritage and potential as part of BLOCK T’s 2011/2012 programme of events. This will directly result in an enhanced footfall to the area.

“In the present climate, development in the general arts sector will occur because of self-generated initiatives like this. BLOCK T will also provide much needed anchor cultural activity in the Smithfield area of the city.”

Professor Declan McGonagleCurator, Director National College of Art & Design

7

Smithfield Square

HISTORYSince opening in July 2010, BLOCK T has fast become a key establishment in Dublin’s independent arts scene.

Recent achievements include:

Facilitated over 180 artistsHosted over 200 performersAttracting over 25,000 visitors to the buildingClose to 3,000 followers on FacebookUp to 3,000 unique followers on websiteClose to 1,000 followers on TwitterOver €30,000 was raised for various charities in the premisesHeld over 150 eventsHave established relationships with Ireland’s leading cultural projectsincluding:

ABSOLUT Fringe Festival Dublin Culture Night Innovation Dublin Dublin Contemporary Upstart Dublin Intellectual First Thursdays In_flux Art Fair Dublin Flea Market CreativeD UM (Experimental Intermedia Festival) Photo Ireland Festival

Collaborated with students from all of Dublin’s leading visual art colleges.Established a BLOCK T annual emerging graduate award.Curated exhibitions and events with emerging and established artist’s and performers from Ireland and abroad.

8

MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

LAURA DOVNManaging Director

BEN READMAN Creative Director

JOE SALAMOperations Director

GRACE MC EVOYArts Coordinator

NICK LINDERSBuilding and Maintenance Manager

SIMON MC KEAGNEYTeam Facilitator

CRAIG COXGallery Technician

MARIA FLORESDevelopment Intern

TRAININGBLOCK T has provided training to over 10 interns and volunteers to date in partnership with Work Placement Schemes and Internship Programmes.

We have facilitated training for:

Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art and Design

National University of Ireland, Galway

European Career Evolution Ltd

9

STUDIOS

BLOCK T houses eleven studios. Each studio is secure, spacious and well lit, resi-dent artists have 24 hour access to their studio space and wi-fi. There is also a communal area for artists and free workshop space.

10

GALLERY

BLOCK T officially launched it’s gallery space in April 2011. This space is 1,300 sq. ft and com-prises a unique feature of inter-changeable, mobile walls. This enables the gallery to alter it’s interior to suit the needs of the exhibiting artists.

Installation shot: Step ||| D.I.T Fine Art Student Show April 2011

11

EXHIBITIONS

Since launching the Gallery in July 2011 BLOCK T have run a diverse programme of exhibitions, showcasing the work of over 150 artists work.

12

PHOTOIRELAND FESTIVALBLOCK T invited several artists from Ireland and abroad to exhibit during the PhotoIreland festival in July 2011.

13

Exhibition shot: Take another left by Shane Connaughton and Diarmait GroganPart of Photoireland Festival 2011

Exhibition shot: Anger by Niall O’Brien Part of PhotoIreland Festival 2011

Exhibition shot: Liquidity by Mella Travers Part of PhotoIreland Festival 2011

GRADUATE AWARD 2011

In July BLOCK T curated it’s first annual Graduate Award Exhibition. The 2011 recipient was Patrick Hough from N.C.A.D.

14

IN_FLUX ART FAIR 2011BLOCK T were one of 10 art spaces invited to curate an off-site exhibition for this years In_flux Art Fair in Limerick organised by Occupy Space.

M E S H Curated by Ben Readman and Grace McEvoy (Block T)

Exhibiting Artists: Sinead Curran | Gillian Lawlor | Brian Cross (B+) | Neil Carroll | Henderson[twelve] | Steven Maybury | Lucinda Chua | Sean Carpio | Broken Dimanche | Mark Garry

15

WORKSHOPS AND CLASSESIn July 2011 BLOCK T launched it’s new Darkroom facilities and workshops that include fashion pho-tography classes, studio lighting workshops and more.

BLOCK T have previously collaborated with RealSound, a digital music production company, who facilitated workshops in Ableton Live, Photoshop and Illustrator Sept – Dec 2010.

16

Block T Darkroom

Realsound workshops

COLLABORATION

DUBLINTELLECTUAL

BLOCK T and Dublintellectual have collaborated on two large scale, very successful events this year. The first event, “Monster Mash Up” (see poster attached) was a two part mash-up of il-lustrated talks, accompanied by screenings of a short film, “Skeleton Frolic” with a live score by Barry O’Halpin and Ben Murray, followed by an episode of “Twin Peaks” with music provided by the Patrick Groenland Quartet. The speakers Dr. Maria Parsons and Dr. Marisa Ronan spoke about “Silent Screen and The History of the Female Vampire” and “Apocalypse How?: American Evan-gelical Fiction and the Rapture” respectively.

17

For the second event with Dublintellectual, the Tex-Mex Film Fest (Friday 15th July) brought to-gether artists who worked in the Super 8 medium, a scholar and Super 8 collector wand super-8 historian. The programme was as follows:Silent Super-8, screening of rare ‘Riding for a Fall’ (dir.Sam Peckinpah) with live score by Zarilla.Dennis Kenny, Texas: Super 8 Home-Movie ver-sion of Tobe Hooper’s classic 1974 horror, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (20mins)Dr. Paula Gilligan, ‘Fall in with the Major’-The Confederate Irish and the South of the Border Western. Silent Super-8, screening of rare ‘Riding for a Fall’ (dir.Sam Peckinpah) with live score.Moira Tierney, Artist (Solus Collective) Lucha Libra, Mexican Wrestlers on FilmAniz Dura, Artist: Screening of ‘Songs for Boys and Girls with Sugar wings’ and a Super 8screening of “Tea at the Glass Graveyard”.

COLLABORATION

DUBLINTELLECTUAL

18

Patrick Groenland Quartet

COLLABORATION

UM – EXPERIMENTAL INTERNATIONAL INTERMEDIA FESTIVAL

Day: Sat 28 May

Alan Butler (IRL), Joan Healy (IRL), Jaygo Bloom (UK), Jack Wrigley, Sarah Milne and Robbie Thomson (SCT), Sonia Cillari (NL/IT), Terike Haapoja (FI), Teresa Dillon (IRL/UK).

Jaygo Bloom (UK), Video and Spatial Mapping Workshop.

Joan Healy, My Hairy Banjo (installation/performance).

Sonia Cillari (NL/IT), As An Artist I need Rest (installation/performance).

Joan Healy, My Hairy Banjo (installation/performance).Night: Sat 28 May.

Presentations by Mark Maguire (IRL), Rachel O’Dwyer (IRL), Jaygo Bloom (UK), Sonia Cillari (NL/IT) and more.

21.00-21.30: Sound art performance.

Jack Wrigley, Sarah Milne and Robbie Thomson (SCT), The Hemi-Ballistic Electric Ensemble.

22.00-22.30: Live Art performance.

Paul Granjon (WAL), Love and The Machine.

22.45-23.30: Concert performance.

Sturqen (PT).

BLOCK T CO-PRODUCTION

Alan Butler (IRL)

Alan Butler (IRL)

Alan Butler (IRL)

19

THEATRE/DANCE

Critically acclaimed Dance perfor-mance ‘The Work,The Work’

‘Isemene’ All proceeds of which went to the ‘Irish Cancer Society’

20

MUSIC

BLOCK T have hosted and produced over 20 music events since opening in July 2010. Below are a selection of photos from these events.

Men / Koolthing / Ophelia‘Trinity Orchestra play RadioheadDonnacha Costello, NutsSlipdaft projections at Alarmist

21

INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGEBLOCK T received funding from Culture Ireland 6 artists to take part in an International ex-change (including exhibitions and residencies) to Marseille, France in September 2011.

Artists – NEIL CARROLL / MICHELLE HALL / AOIBHEANN GRENNAN / OISIN O’BRIEN / ADAM GIBNEY / GRACE MCEVOY Curator – BEN READMAN

Partner Organisation in France – CHÂTEAU de SERVIÈRES

22

TESTIMONIALS

“BLOCK T have established themselves as a key site of artistic and cultural production in Dublin with an unrivaled programme of events that has secured a faithful following.BLOCK T has become a cultural hub with a diverse range of creative figures coming together to create a true commu-nity feel to the project. At a time of economic uncertainity. BLOCK T offers a a host of lowcost activities that enrich Dublin’s cultural calendar and importantly are a valuable addition to the Smithfield area”. Dr. Marisa RonanFounder, Dublintellectual

“BLOCK T represents the best in artists initiatives by providing quality studio spaces and facilities to emerg-ing national and international artists, housing a purpose designed exhibition space, instigating a dynamic curatorial programme and nurturing a vital forum for interdisciplin-ary creative discourse. BLOCK T has a distinct energy and ethos that is vital for the city and in particular this area of Dublin, which unfortunately has recently lost other impor-tant cultural organisations”. Brian FayLecturer, D.I.T.

“I believe that BLOCK T has a huge part to play in the Cultural health and sustainability of Dublin City”.

Jessica FoleyCo-Founder The Writing Workshop, Artist and Writer

“The members of BLOCK T are of great talent, energy and potential. We have no doubt that the project will be a suc-cessful one. It is, in our minds, a timely enterprise run by a young, dynamic and committed team”.

Francis Halsall & Declan LongArt Critics and Lecturers

“BLOCK T has revitalised and invigorated the area with an influx of creative and dynamic young artists”.

Anthony HobbsHead of Fine Art Media, NCAD

“BLOCK T’s diverse, multi-disciplinary programme offers an eclectic and energetic abundance of events, exhibitions, talks and screenings which not only challenges and engag-es both artists and audiences but has also paved the way for a future model of art spaces in this city”.

Miranda DriscollCo-Director, The Joinery

“BLOCK T are being brave and ambitious and crucially seems to be prioritising A form of civic responsibility within this particular cultural sector”. Mark GarryArtist and Curator

23

ARTICLES REVIEWS PRESSBLOCK T have been featured in numerous newspapers and press including:

The Guardian (UK)RTE NewsThe Irish TimesPaper Visual ArtCirca On-lineTotally DublinHot PressVulgoAnOtherRTE ArenaNear FMVarious online blogs and journals.

‘A Plan to Save Smithfield Square’The Irish Times, April 9th 2011

Hot Press Article June 2011

Totally Dublin Culture Feature July 2011

24

ARTICLES REVIEWS PRESS

25

PREVIOUS POSTERS

Below are a selection of posters from previous exhibitions in BLOCK T.

EXHIBITIONS

27

PARTNERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS

BLOCK T1-6 HAYMARKETSMITHFIELDDUBLIN 7

Follow us on Twitter @BLOCK_TFind us on Facebook search ‘BLOCK T’

www.blockt.ieinfo@blockt.ie

studios@blockt.ievisualarts@blockt.ie

Laura GDovn: 0870925849Ben Readman: 0876777636

Joe Salam: 0873563514Grace McEvoy: 0879509042

MAP AND IMAGES

29

BLOCK T is kindly supported by:

SUPPORT

The Arts Council of Ireland Dublin City Council Culture Ireland