Week 6
Based on the information in my previous post, I have decided to change the focus of my speculative project.
My project will intertwine Irish mythology and native Irish wisdom with the current environmental crisis of Ash Dieback. It would be a site specific project, held at Luan Gallery in Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Athlone is referred to as the heart of Ireland due to its central positioning on the island. In Irish folklore, there were five sacred trees named Bile Tortan, Craebh Daithi, Craebh Uisnigh, Eo Mugna, Eo Rossa. The first three trees named were Ash, and were each located in or around Athlone. With this central positioning, the Ash became a symbol of protection of the land and its fertility, enforced by the Goddess of the Land (Queen Meadhbh).
Irish artists who have worked with fallen native Irish trees such as Eamonn Heffernan and Michael Warren will create sculptures from Ash trees that have been affected by Ash Dieback. These sculptures will function as chairs. They will be positioned using the template of Fionn Timmin’s Ciorcal na nDéise (2024). Timmins’ award-winning installation ‘considers our relationship with the landscape by addressing and reinterpreting references to Irish folklore and ancient Irish megalithic forms, such as stone circles’ (https://rhagallery.ie/fionn-timmins/). The sculpture is made from bog oak and draws upon the symbolism of the circle and the Oak Tree in Irish mythology.
Information about the Ash tree in Irish Mythology would be shared at the exhibition, with an online archive existing online, as well as readings that inspired this exhibition.
In addition to this, workshops would be held at the space in which Irish folklore would be shared. Seanachoiche is a group based in Ireland that have been working to revive the art of storytelling through hosting events in which the general public come up and share a story based on the theme of the evening. For the purpose of this project, the theme would be based on Irish Mythology.
The aim of the exhibition would be to make everyday, mundane nature sacred to us again, through positioning Ash in a sacred format and reviving the indigenous knowledge around it.
Your project presents a compelling and deeply rooted exploration of Irish mythology, indigenous wisdom, and environmental concerns, particularly in relation to Ash Dieback. The intertwining of folklore with contemporary ecological issues adds a profound layer of meaning, making it not only relevant but also culturally significant.
One of the strongest aspects of your proposal is the use of site-specificity. Positioning the project in Athlone—considered the heart of Ireland—adds symbolic depth, reinforcing the sacred role of Ash trees in Irish tradition. Additionally, referencing Queen Meadhbh as the land’s protector enhances the connection between mythology and environmental conservation.
Your decision to incorporate works by artists like Eamonn Heffernan and Michael Warren strengthens the exhibition’s impact, as their use of fallen native trees ensures an authentic and meaningful response to Ash Dieback. The concept of the sculptures functioning as chairs is particularly interesting, as it transforms them into interactive elements rather than passive exhibits. Similarly, integrating Fionn Timmin’s Ciorcal na nDéise as a structural and conceptual template provides a strong visual and thematic anchor to the project.
The inclusion of workshops and storytelling sessions through Seanachoiche is an excellent addition, fostering public engagement and reviving oral traditions. However, it might be worth considering whether these workshops could extend beyond storytelling—perhaps including guided walks, ritualistic planting of new Ash trees, or even interactive art sessions where participants could respond creatively to the themes of loss and renewal.
One area that might benefit from further exploration is the role of digital engagement. While you mention an online archive, expanding on how it will function (e.g., including audio recordings of folklore, interactive maps, or a digital forum for shared stories) could make the exhibition’s reach more enduring.
Overall, your speculative project is rich in concept, historical depth, and cultural significance. It successfully bridges ancient mythology with pressing contemporary concerns, offering both a space for reflection and a call to action. I look forward to seeing how this idea continues to develop!
I sincerely apologize for my delayed comment. However, the advantage is that I have been able to review your latest records from this week.
Overall, your blog is easy to read yet maintains depth, and it seems that you have found a balance between academic reflection and stream-of-consciousness writing. This style is truly impressive.
In the end, you have focused your project on Irish cultural traditions, nature, and the ecological crisis surrounding Ash Dieback. Although your exhibition is deeply rooted in Irish culture, from my perspective as someone from a different cultural background, it remains highly engaging. While my knowledge of Irish mythology is somewhat limited (the only figures that come to mind immediately are Brigid and Cú Chulainn), I have encountered aspects of Irish mythology and fantasy literature through The Golden Bough (1905) and Lord Dunsany’s The Gods of Pegāna (1905).
Perhaps the Ash tree in Irish mythology holds a sacred significance similar to that of the Oak in Norse mythology. Experiencing a sacred symbol from the perspective of another culture offers an intriguing cognitive exercise.