The title of this exhibition  In Paint; In Teeth; In Mountains; In Stars refers to a chapter in the novel Moby Dick in which the narrator recounts the abundance of images of whales, seen virtually everywhere by a suitably obsessed whaleman. These images range from man made representations to fleeting illusions in nature.  This exhibition is an attempt to explore the resonance and meaning of a range of images through isolation, repetition, visual connections, and gaps.

This exhibition marks a new new departure in Whelan’s practice. Moving away from a purely linear hang, the artist has collaborated with architects, abgc, to create an intervention in the space that will create a particular kind of encounter with the work and connect the ground and first floor galleries. The installation aims to activate the space between the viewer and paintings and to allow the viewer to create their own narratives.

Exhibition runs: 9^th December 2011 to 21^st January 2012

www.thelab.ie

Rodeo Oracle refers to the ideological debate surrounding the issue of indigenous whaling in the Pacific Northwest. The ongoing struggle of North American Indian tribes to practice their treaty-protected right to hunt whales is one that resonates with attempts by indigenous people worldwide to maintain their customary subsistence patterns and cultural self- determination. Close reading of this dispute reveals an almost colonial Western perspective, in the worst instances prejudiced and patronising at best.

Rodeo Oracle humorously manifests the romantic ideas projected onto the 'other' by the Western gaze. Indigenous culture is self-reflexively filtered through a Western lens to the degree that a parody of the latter is constructed.  Deliberate misappropriations abound, in particular the use of the monument whose presence in North American Indian tradition is virtually non-existent. The monument thus offers a greater commentary on our own culture, rife with its symbols of power and authority. These indiscretions reflect the myriad ways in which indigenous cultures are misrepresented in the media. To a higher extent they illustrate how second-hand information can significantly misinform or limit our understanding of the world.

Exhibition runs: 9th December to 7th January 2012

The Cube Space, The LAB, Foley street, Dublin 1 - www.thelab.ie

Come join us for our next Baby on Board event in The LAB on Friday 13th January from 11.00am to 12.30pm. The morning offers the opportunity to meet other parents for an informal chat and coffee in the gallery space as well as the chance to catch the current exhibition. There's plenty of room for buggies and baby changing facilities. We are happy to welcome babies and toddlers for this event! It's the last chance to see the Quantifed Self and Bloused exhibitions.

For more information please contact the Arts Office on Tel: 01222 7843/ 222 7848 or e-mail: sheena.barrett@dublincity.ie.

The LAB is pleased to be part of First Thursdays Dublin, the name given to cultural spaces opening their doors after hours and offering an extra chance to see art, culture and events in a number of venues between 6 – 8pm on the first Thursday of every month.

The Christmas Art Programme at The Red Stables will include Family Drop in Workshops with artists Fionnuala Hanahoe and Mary Noonan on 3^rd /4th and 10^th December. The artists will work with participants to create Christmas tree decorations for The Red Stables Christmas tree and their own Christmas tree. On Sunday 11^th and Saturday 17^th December, Artist Martina Galvin will facilitate a Family Drop in Workshop making Christmas angels, decorations, stars and writing Santa letters. Artist, Fiona McDonagh will provide a fun filled Christmas themed drama/art workshop for children aged 7-9 on Sunday 11^th December. Artist, Maeve Clancy will create a festive themed installation in the Exhibition Space for children and adults to explore, join her on Saturday 10^th December for a paper cut out demonstration and the chance to make your own.

Mulled wine and mince pies will be available from Tir na nOg Caife and there will be ‘Jingle Bell’ horse and carriage rides around the park. The Red Stables Art, Craft and Food Market will be open from 10am – 5pm every Saturday.

Congratulations to our Red Stables Irish Residential Artist Alan Burns on being one of the recipients of Fire Station Artists’ Studios – Digital Media Residency. 

Along with Jessica Conway, Carloine Doolin and Linda Quinlan, Alan will have full access to the Resource Centre, part-time resource area staff and access at a subsidised rate to all the digital media equipment in Firestation Artists' Studios. 

http://www.firestation.ie/news/2011/#n296

A Christmas Classic

Featuring readings from Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" and Musical Classics of the Season, including:  "O Holy Night", "Wexford Carol", "I'll Be Home for Christmas" & "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" . By special arrangement these performances will include members of the casts of Dublin City Councils acclaimed “Opera in the Open”, including the internationally acclaimed talents of leading Irish soprano Cliona Cassidy, award-winning performer Morgan Crowley and musical director Andrew Synnott.

These free lunch time concerts will take place in Powerscourt Townhouse at lunch Time (1pm) on the 16th, 22 & 23rd of December 2001, no booking required. 

http://www.dublinatchristmas.ie/events/powerscourt-townhouse-free-lunchtime-concerts/

Santabear loves stories, and helps puppeteer Niamh Lawlor tell and draw you one, if you promise to help! An intimate, interactive story-telling session suitable for a family or class audience (7 – 9 year olds the ideal age group) from award winning Púca Puppets.

Santabear will be at Powerscourt Townhouse at 11am and 3pm on the 21^st,22 & the 23^rd December. These are free events but spaces are strictly limited so booking must be made in advance. Each session lasts for 45-50 mins, Please call 01 222 7843 or email Victoria.kearney@dublincity.ie to book a space

All information is correct at time of printing, but may be subject to change, please call Please call 01 222 7843 or email Victoria.kearney@dublincity.ie in advance to confirm details.

http://www.dublinatchristmas.ie/events/powerscourt-townhouse-free-lunchtime-concerts/

Amazing Puppet Theatre featuring the stories classic stories of ‘The Hungry Caterpillar’ and ‘The Gruffalo’. These fantastic stories will be delivered in an intimate setting for limited audiences by acclaimed puppeteer Martin Cahill.  

All Performances will take place at CHQ Centre at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on the 21st,22nd & the 23rd December. 

These are free events but spaces are strictly limited so booking must be made in advance. Each show lasts for approximately 30 mins.

Please call 01 222 7843 or email Victoria.kearney@dublincity to book a space.  

All information is correct at time of printing, but may be subject to change,

IFSC, Docklands, Dublin 1   www.chq.ie

http://www.dublinatchristmas.ie/events/free-puppet-theatre-for-children-in-the-chq-centre/

This year The Irish Writers Centre, in association with Dublin City Council Arts Office, invite you to celebrate Oíche Nollaig na mBan a little differently. Whether you want to listen to some of Ireland’s finest writers, celebrate an age-old Irish tradition, or you’re just glad the 12^th Day of Christmas has finally come about – join us in the Irish Writers Centre, Parnell Square Nth., Friday January 6^th  at 6pm for an early evening of prose, poetry, spoken word and music in the company of

Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill

Celia De Fréine

Mary O’Donnell

Eilis Ní Dhuibhne

Mia Gallagher

Sarah Clancy

 With musicians Jane Hughes & Ellen Cranitch

This is a free event.

Open Spaces was a participatory programme for secondary schools exploring public space.

Initiated by Dublin City Council Arts Office and led by artists and designers Michelle Browne, Jo Anne Butler and Tara Kennedy, the programme took place in 2010/ 2011.  

The project gave a voice to teenagers experiences of and ideas for public space in Dublin. It also investigated the potential for teenagers to influence architecture, planning, design and decision-making process around public space in the city. If teenagers had the ‘power to build’ what would they build and why? Or would they choose to ‘build’ at all?  

An exhibition, documenting the outcomes and experiences of this programme has been touring Dublin City to give the greater community a chance to see what it was all about. The exhibition is currently on display in Ballyfermot Leisure Centre until January 2012. 

Participating schools;  

• Manor House School, Raheny, Dublin 5.  
• Maryfield College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9.  
• St. Dominic’s Secondary School, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10.  
• Trinity Comprehensive, Ballymun, Dublin 9.  
• Presentation Secondary School, Warrenmount, Dublin 8.

Dublin City Council invites applications from professional visual artists interested in a medium term letting of a day studio at The Red Stables, St. Anne’s Park, Dublin 3.

The Carriage House Studio is situated on the ground level of The Red Stables, in an attractive courtyard set in 270 acres of parkland. The studio is available to rent for €70 + VAT per week inclusive of broadband, electricity, heating, rates, water and refuge charges. A maximum license of three years will apply, renewable on a yearly basis. The studio dimensions are 14.5 x 18 feet.

Artists are asked to submit the following:

A covering letter outlining a description of art practice, proposed studio for use, and reasons why occupancy of a studio in The Red Stables is important to career development.

• A current CV.
• Documentation of work.
• Any special requirements, for example in terms of Access.

Applicants should have a degree or diploma from a recognised third level art college and have participated in an exhibition/visual art event.

Applications should be submitted not later than 5pm on Monday, 30^th January 2012 -  marked APPLICATION FOR DAY STUDIOS: THE RED STABLES - Dublin City Council Arts Office, THE LAB, Foley Street, Dublin 1. 

For further information or to arrange a viewing of the studio please contact Victoria Kearney: 01 222 7843      victoria.kearney@dublincity.ie

www.redstablesartists.com

Some of the highlights of the Christmas programme will be the Lord Mayor lights the Christmas Tree in O’Connell Street on 27^th November. Why not join in the fun on 4^th December its our Geansaí Nollaig Day!! Come see the Live Animal Crib at the Mansion House from 8^th December,  

There is a dedicated website for Christmas - see www.dublinatchristmas.ie . There is a Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dublin-at-Christmas/150853858294053 that will keep people informed of all the great events and offers in Dublin’s city centre. And if you are a Tweeter - follow us at #dublinatchristmas