About BLOCK T

BLOCK T

CONTENTSABOUT BLOCK T - 3VISION AND MISSION - 4RELEVANCE - 5GOALS AND OBJECTIVES - 6LOCATION - 7HISTORY - 8MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE - 9STUDIOS - 10GALLERY - 11EXHIBITIONS - 12PHOTOIRELAND FESTIVAL - 13GRADUATE 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 TBLOCK T is a cooperative organisation, run on avoluntary basis, that is operating from a former tilewarehouse factory located on Smithfield Square,in Dublin’s inner city. This 8,000 square-footbuilding encompasses eleven resident artist stu-dios, a large versatile gallery space, an analoguephotography darkroom and a number of multi-functional workshop and performance areas. Block T Studio artists exhibition Block T Gallery Block T Studios 3

VISION AND MISSIONBLOCK T aims to position itself as a leadingmultidisciplinary organisationthrough education, information, exchangeand innovation in Ireland. UM Jaygo Bloom in conversationBLOCK T aspires to transcend the status of purelybeing 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 avenuesfostering philosophical, social and technologi-cal innovation on any level. It strives to facilitateindividuals to bridge the gap between theory andpractice in their art or discipline through educa-tion, information, exchange and support.BLOCK T sees itself as a cultural movement ratherthan a space. With an internal focused businessand 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 thismodel could be easily adaptable and customisedto any organisation of any scale and capacity. Block T classroom 4

RELEVANCEBLOCK T represents the best in artists initiatives BLOCK T’s multifunctional attitude and transforma- “BLOCK T has a distinct energy and ethos that is vi-by providing quality studio spaces and facilities to tive nature lends itself to a flexibility that reaches tal for the city and in particular this area of Dublin”.emerging national and international artists, hous- a broad demographic. With it’s open door policying a purpose designed exhibition space, instigat- and competitive positioning in the cultural and Brian Faying a dynamic curatorial programme and nurtur- social sectors BLOCK T seeks to cover unbroken Lecturer, D.I.T.ing a vital forum for interdisciplinary ground between traditional institutions andcreative discourse. alternative spaces within the city. UM 2011 5

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 theorganisation. 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 formsnot 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 withinthe premises.To include a broader range of services and activities within the space. (Workshops, classes, talks, screenings anddiscussions).To secure funding to realise these goals. 6

LOCATIONBLOCK 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 atthe south end…Events, markets etc will expand out fromthis area, it acting like a lung”.Smithfield and its surrounding area houses a di-verse demographic. This cultural and multi-socialquarter parallels the multidisciplinary approachthat BLOCK T defines itself by. It also has a directlink to the Smithfield Area Business Association Smithfield Squarewho play a vital role in the regeneration plan.The current economic climate allowed BLOCK T todevelop, 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 Smithfieldby Dublin City Council and the city by showcas-ing Smithfield’s heritage and potential as part ofBLOCK T’s 2011/2012 programme of events. Thiswill directly result in an enhanced footfall to thearea.“In the present climate, development in the general artssector will occur because of self-generated initiatives likethis. BLOCK T will also provide much needed anchor culturalactivity in the Smithfield area of the city.”Professor Declan McGonagleCurator, Director National College of Art & Design 7

HISTORYSince opening in July 2010, BLOCK T has fast become a key establishmentin 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 FestivalCollaborated 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 andperformers from Ireland and abroad. 8

MANAGEMENT STRUCTURELAURA DOVN BEN READMAN JOE SALAM GRACE MC EVOY SIMON MC KEAGNEY NICK LINDERS CRAIG COX MARIA FLORESManaging Director Creative Director Operations Director Arts Coordinator Team Facilitator Building and Gallery Technician Development Maintenance Intern ManagerTRAININGBLOCK T has provided training to over 10 interns Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art and Design European Career Evolution Ltdand volunteers to date in partnership with WorkPlacement Schemes and Internship Programmes. National University of Ireland, GalwayWe have facilitated training for: 9

STUDIOSBLOCK T houses eleven studios.Each studio is secure, spacious and well lit, resi-dent artists have 24 hour access to their studiospace and wi-fi. There is also a communal areafor artists and free workshop space. 10

GALLERYBLOCK T officially launched it’s gallery space inApril 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’sinterior to suit the needs of the exhibiting artists. Installation shot: Step ||| D.I.T Fine Art Student Show April 2011 11

EXHIBITIONSSince launching the Gallery in July 2011 BLOCK Thave run a diverse programme of exhibitions,showcasing the work of over 150 artists work. 12

PHOTOIRELAND FESTIVAL BLOCK T invited several artists from Ireland and abroad to exhibit during the PhotoIreland festival in July 2011. Exhibition shot: Anger by Niall O’Brien Part of PhotoIreland Festival 2011Exhibition shot: Take another left by ShaneConnaughton and Diarmait Grogan Exhibition shot: Liquidity by Mella TraversPart of Photoireland Festival 2011 Part of PhotoIreland Festival 2011 13

GRADUATEAWARD 2011In July BLOCK T curated it’s first annual GraduateAward Exhibition. The 2011 recipient wasPatrick Hough from N.C.A.D. 14

WORKSHOPSAND CLASSESIn July 2011 BLOCK T launched it’s new Darkroomfacilities and workshops that include fashion pho-tography classes, studio lighting workshops andmore.BLOCK T have previously collaborated withRealSound, a digital music production company,who facilitated workshops in Ableton Live,Photoshop and Illustrator Sept – Dec 2010. Block T Darkroom Realsound workshops 16

COLLABORATIONDUBLINTELLECTUALBLOCK T and Dublintellectual have collaboratedon two large scale, very successful events thisyear. The first event, “Monster Mash Up” (seeposter attached) was a two part mash-up of il-lustrated talks, accompanied by screenings of ashort film, “Skeleton Frolic” with a live score byBarry O’Halpin and Ben Murray, followed by anepisode of “Twin Peaks” with music provided bythe Patrick Groenland Quartet. The speakers Dr.Maria Parsons and Dr. Marisa Ronan spoke about“Silent Screen and The History of the FemaleVampire” and “Apocalypse How?: American Evan-gelical Fiction and the Rapture” respectively. 17

COLLABORATIONDUBLINTELLECTUALFor the second event with Dublintellectual, theTex-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-8historian. 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, TheTexas Chain Saw Massacre (20mins)Dr. Paula Gilligan, ‘Fall in with the Major’-TheConfederate Irish and the South of the BorderWestern.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 andGirls with Sugar wings’ and a Super 8screening of“Tea at the Glass Graveyard”. Patrick Groenland Quartet 18

COLLABORATIONUM – EXPERIMENTAL INTERNATIONAL INTERMEDIA FESTIVALBLOCK T CO-PRODUCTIONDay: Sat 28 May Alan Butler (IRL)Alan Butler (IRL), Joan Healy (IRL), Jaygo Bloom (UK), Jack Wrigley, Sarah Milne and RobbieThomson (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. Alan Butler (IRL)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). Alan Butler (IRL) 19

THEATRE/DANCE Critically acclaimed Dance perfor- ‘Isemene’ All proceeds of which went to the mance ‘The Work,The Work’ ‘Irish Cancer Society’ 20

MUSICBLOCK T have hosted and produced over 20music events since opening in July 2010.Below are a selection of photos from these events. Slipdaft projections at Alarmist Donnacha Costello, Nuts ‘Trinity Orchestra play Radiohead Men / Koolthing / Ophelia 21

INTERNATIONALEXCHANGEBLOCK T received funding from Culture Ireland6 artists to take part in an International ex-change (including exhibitions and residencies) toMarseille, France in September 2011.Artists – NEIL CARROLL / MICHELLE HALL /AOIBHEANN GRENNAN / OISIN O’BRIEN /ADAM GIBNEY / GRACE MCEVOYCurator – BEN READMANPartner Organisation in France – CHÂTEAU deSERVIÈRES 22

TESTIMONIALS“BLOCK T have established themselves as a key site of “The members of BLOCK T are of great talent, energy andartistic and cultural production in Dublin with an unrivaled potential. We have no doubt that the project will be a suc-programme of events that has secured a faithful following. cessful one. It is, in our minds, a timely enterprise run by aBLOCK T has become a cultural hub with a diverse range young, dynamic and committed team”.of creative figures coming together to create a true commu-nity feel to the project. At a time of economic uncertainity. Francis Halsall & Declan LongBLOCK T offers a a host of lowcost activities that enrich Art Critics and LecturersDublin’s cultural calendar and importantly are a valuableaddition to the Smithfield area”. “BLOCK T has revitalised and invigorated the area with an influx of creative and dynamic young artists”.Dr. Marisa RonanFounder, Dublintellectual Anthony Hobbs Head of Fine Art Media, NCAD“BLOCK T represents the best in artists initiatives byproviding quality studio spaces and facilities to emerg- “BLOCK T’s diverse, multi-disciplinary programme offersing national and international artists, housing a purpose an eclectic and energetic abundance of events, exhibitions,designed exhibition space, instigating a dynamic curatorial talks and screenings which not only challenges and engag-programme and nurturing a vital forum for interdisciplin- es both artists and audiences but has also paved the wayary creative discourse. BLOCK T has a distinct energy and for a future model of art spaces in this city”.ethos that is vital for the city and in particular this area ofDublin, which unfortunately has recently lost other impor- Miranda Driscolltant cultural organisations”. Co-Director, The JoineryBrian FayLecturer, D.I.T. “BLOCK T are being brave and ambitious and crucially seems to be prioritising A form of civic responsibility within this particular cultural sector”.“I believe that BLOCK T has a huge part to play in theCultural health and sustainability of Dublin City”. Mark Garry Artist and CuratorJessica FoleyCo-Founder The Writing Workshop, Artist and Writer 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 FM Hot Press Article June 2011Various online blogs and journals. Totally Dublin Culture Feature July ‘A Plan to Save Smithfield Square’ 2011 The Irish Times, April 9th 2011 24

ARTICLES REVIEWS PRESS 25

PREVIOUSPOSTERSEXHIBITIONSBelow are a selection of posters from previousexhibitions in BLOCK T.

PARTNERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS

MAP AND IMAGESBLOCK T1-6 HAYMARKETSMITHFIELDDUBLIN 7 www.blockt.ie info@blockt.ie studios@blockt.ie visualarts@blockt.ie Laura GDovn: 0870925849 Ben Readman: 0876777636Follow us on Twitter @BLOCK_T Joe Salam: 0873563514Find us on Facebook search ‘BLOCK T’ Grace McEvoy: 0879509042 29

SUPPORTBLOCK T is kindly supported by: The Arts Council of Ireland Dublin City Council Culture Ireland

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