Block T is a unique creative enterprise established in July 2010. In the last year Block T has provided a working space for individuals, collectives and organisations of multiple and diverse disciplines. We have eleven active studio spaces, as well as over five thousand square feet of multifunctional workspace. Our most recent addition is a fully functional analogue darkroom, which apart from offering classes in photographic development skills, is also one of the only publicly accessible darkrooms in the city. We also work to facilitate training, internship programmes, lectures series’, talks and international exchanges while positively promoting Dublin as an exciting destination to live, work and create.

1. BLOCK T

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

3. 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.
Block T Studio artists exhibition
Block T Gallery
Block T Studios
3

4. VISION AND MISSION
BLOCK T aims to position itself as a leading
multidisciplinary organisation
through education, information, exchange
and innovation in Ireland.
UM
Jaygo Bloom in conversation
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. Block T classroom
4

5. RELEVANCE
BLOCK 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 policy
ing a purpose designed exhibition space, instigat- and competitive positioning in the cultural and Brian Fay
ing 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 and
creative discourse. alternative spaces within the city.
UM 2011
5

6. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
To 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

7. 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
Smithfield Square
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 McGonagle
Curator, Director National College of Art & Design
7

8. HISTORY
Since opening in July 2010, BLOCK T has fast become a key establishment
in Dublin’s independent arts scene.
Recent achievements include:
Facilitated over 180 artists
Hosted over 200 performers
Attracting over 25,000 visitors to the building
Close to 3,000 followers on Facebook
Up to 3,000 unique followers on website
Close to 1,000 followers on Twitter
Over €30,000 was raised for various charities in the premises
Held over 150 events
Have established relationships with Ireland’s leading cultural projects
including:
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

9. MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
LAURA DOVN BEN READMAN JOE SALAM GRACE MC EVOY SIMON MC KEAGNEY NICK LINDERS CRAIG COX MARIA FLORES
Managing Director Creative Director Operations Director Arts Coordinator Team Facilitator Building and Gallery Technician Development
Maintenance Intern
Manager
TRAINING
BLOCK T has provided training to over 10 interns Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art and Design European Career Evolution Ltd
and volunteers to date in partnership with Work
Placement Schemes and Internship Programmes.
National University of Ireland, Galway
We have facilitated training for:
9

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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 2011
Exhibition shot: Take another left by Shane
Connaughton and Diarmait Grogan Exhibition shot: Liquidity by Mella Travers
Part of Photoireland Festival 2011 Part of PhotoIreland Festival 2011
13

14. 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

15. IN_FLUX ART
FAIR 2011
BLOCK 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.
MESH Exhibiting Artists: Sinead Curran | Gillian Lawlor | Brian Cross (B+) | Neil Carroll | Henderson[twelve]
Curated by Ben Readman and Grace McEvoy | Steven Maybury | Lucinda Chua | Sean Carpio | Broken Dimanche | Mark Garry
(Block T)
15

16. WORKSHOPS
AND CLASSES
In 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.
Block T Darkroom
Realsound workshops
16

17. 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

18. COLLABORATION
DUBLINTELLECTUAL
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”.
Patrick Groenland Quartet
18

19. COLLABORATION
UM – EXPERIMENTAL INTERNATIONAL INTERMEDIA FESTIVAL
BLOCK T CO-PRODUCTION
Day: Sat 28 May
Alan Butler (IRL)
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.
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

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

21. 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.
Slipdaft projections at Alarmist Donnacha Costello, Nuts ‘Trinity Orchestra play Radiohead Men / Koolthing / Ophelia
21

22. INTERNATIONAL
EXCHANGE
BLOCK 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

23. TESTIMONIALS
“BLOCK T have established themselves as a key site of “The members of BLOCK T are of great talent, energy and
artistic 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 a
BLOCK 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 Long
BLOCK T offers a a host of lowcost activities that enrich Art Critics and Lecturers
Dublin’s cultural calendar and importantly are a valuable
addition to the Smithfield area”. “BLOCK T has revitalised and invigorated the area with an
influx of creative and dynamic young artists”.
Dr. Marisa Ronan
Founder, Dublintellectual Anthony Hobbs
Head of Fine Art Media, NCAD
“BLOCK T represents the best in artists initiatives by
providing quality studio spaces and facilities to emerg-
“BLOCK T’s diverse, multi-disciplinary programme offers
ing 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 way
ary 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 of
Dublin, which unfortunately has recently lost other impor-
Miranda Driscoll
tant cultural organisations”.
Co-Director, The Joinery
Brian Fay
Lecturer, 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 the
Cultural health and sustainability of Dublin City”.
Mark Garry
Artist and Curator
Jessica Foley
Co-Founder The Writing Workshop, Artist and Writer
23

24. ARTICLES REVIEWS PRESS
BLOCK T have been featured in numerous newspapers and press including:
The Guardian (UK)
RTE News
The Irish Times
Paper Visual Art
Circa On-line
Totally Dublin
Hot Press
Vulgo
AnOther
RTE Arena
Near FM Hot Press Article June 2011
Various online blogs and journals.
Totally Dublin Culture Feature July
‘A Plan to Save Smithfield Square’ 2011
The Irish Times, April 9th 2011
24

25. ARTICLES REVIEWS PRESS
25

26. PREVIOUS
POSTERS
EXHIBITIONS
Below are a selection of posters from previous
exhibitions in BLOCK T.

27. 27

28. PARTNERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS

29. MAP AND IMAGES
BLOCK T
1-6 HAYMARKET
SMITHFIELD
DUBLIN 7
www.blockt.ie
info@blockt.ie
studios@blockt.ie
visualarts@blockt.ie
Laura GDovn: 0870925849
Ben Readman: 0876777636
Follow us on Twitter @BLOCK_T Joe Salam: 0873563514
Find us on Facebook search ‘BLOCK T’ Grace McEvoy: 0879509042
29

30. SUPPORT
BLOCK T is kindly supported by:
The Arts Council of Ireland Dublin City Council Culture Ireland