Askeaton Contemporary Arts

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2009

Berndnaut Smilde Smilde, in his initial research on Askeaton, looked up Askeaton in Google Street View and was directed to Askeaton, Wisconsin, USA. He then transposed the first building he saw in the American Askeaton to Ireland, with a life size photo of a barn installed on the way into the town. The artist hoped that when Google come to photograph the original town of Askeaton, this image will be picked up, and the building will simultaneously exist in both Askeatons. In the end, Smilde' sculpture was captured and today still appears on Google Street View.

Joe Duggan Duggan made two new artworks in Askeaton, entitled Skyscraper and Gold Boulder. Much speculative discussion revolved around these artworks as a model for a future building development and plaza with public sculpture, located somewhere around Askeaton.

Andrew Dodds Dodds operated ASK FM, a pirate radio station broadcasting from a secret venue in the town. It featured recordings and interviews with local musicians and individuals who are involved in local community structures such as Askeaton Civic Trust and local Credit Union. The artwork resonated the potential talents, ambitions and micro-politics of the town, allowing participants not just a platform but also a form of gentle subjectivity and subtle validation for their activities.

Magdalena Jitrik An abstract painting was made while in residence in Askeaton, and was accompanied by a video detailing the making of the painting, with a soundtrack of music composed by the artist. One afternoon, the completed painting appeared in Askeaton's ruined Franciscan Abbey, a moment captured in Jitrik's video.

Louise Manifold Manifold produced a video based around stories, myths and recollections around Askeaton of ghost horses and carriages haunting families on lonely country roads.

DONKEYPATCH A revival of the local folk game Donkeypatch occured as part of the artists stay in Askeaton. The game was likely brought from County Mayo in the 1970s when many workmen moved to Askeaton in the construction of the Aughinish Alumina plant, then europe's largest building site. In Askeaton, the local tennis court was divided into 200 squares, tickets for each square were sold locally before two donkeys were introduced to the court. Whatever square the donkey does his business on first is the winner of the cash prize bonanza.