Art in the Landscape
Online seminar

Produced by Studio Response, the Art in the Landscape online seminar considered themes such as the intersect of art in the landscape on our communities, on ecology, tourism, economics and looked at the role of sculpture trails and parks in delivering future environmental and social resilience.

The event was rooted in consideration of Ireland’s art in the landscape assets: Tír Sáile Sculpture Trail in County Mayo and Lough Boora Sculpture Park in County Offaly. It set out to stimulate and challenge ideas around both locations as well as presenting potential opportunities for their future development.

In developing the seminar, Studio Response worked with artists Anna Horton Cremin and Rachel Jones , who engaged with artists local to and connect with both  Tír Sáile Sculpture Trail and Lough Boora Sculpture Park. The aim of the artist-led workshops was to creatively engage participants in the consideration of their own landscape and life in the area, and to share the things they value about where they live, as well as ways to celebrate them through art in the landscape.  The art in the landscape workshops have been documented in the following film, which has been produced by Holm Films and artists Anna and Rachel.

 The seminar took place on 25^th May 2022 with delegates enjoying a fascinating range of keynote presentations and panel discussions.  Speakers included internationally renowned sculptor David Nash OBE, RA, who gave a rare insight into many of his site-specific works and how they are reflective of his relationship with land, nature and ecology.

Anders Tväråna, partner and lead architect at White Arkitekter in Uppsala, Sweden, spoke about his work on the brand and identity of Sweden’s national parks; philosopher and curator John Thackara discussed the ways art can fix the cultural disconnection between the man-made world and the biosphere.  Professor John Thompson then discussed the impact and economic value of temporary public art sculpture trails.

Panel discussions and an exploration of the importance of local context led by Art in the Landscape workshop artists Anna Horton Cremin and Rachel Jones completed the event.  In a moving final session, the seminar was reviewed and responded to by poet in residence Alice Kinsella, whose thought-provoking words captured the essence of day.

Further information and resources can be found on the Art in the Landscape website.  Recordings of the day’s proceedings can also be found on the website and on the event’s Crowdcast page: Welcome & Intro - Art in the Landscape – Crowdcast.

Art in the Landscape is part of an ongoing project with Offaly County Council (lead partner), Mayo County Council and Visual Artists Ireland. It was funded through the Arts Council's Invitation to Collaboration Scheme.

We are very grateful to those who took part in the workshops in County Offaly and County Mayo in March 2022.

You can read Marek Wolynski's report on the seminar in Visual Artists' News Sheet, September - October 2022 here.

Studio Response worked with Cerith Mathias on the production and delivery of the seminar. The Art in the Landscape website was designed by Garry Bartlett.

Image courtesy of Anna Horton Cremin and Rachel Jones.