Imaginative Sky

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02 January 2012 - 31 December 2012

Dublin City of Science 2012

Imaginative Sky

Celebrating Dublin City of Science 2012, Imaginative Sky was a collaborative project between the Hugh Lane’s Education and Research department, the artist Martina Galvin and children from Scoil Plás Mhuire BNS, off Dorset Street. Over a six weeks period from April – May 2012 the children from 2^nd and 3^rd class visited the Hugh Lane and explored the connections between art and science through practical experiments and art workshops led by the artist Martina Galvin. The aim of Imaginative Sky was to deliver scientific knowledge and experiments in an artistic, creative and enjoyable form. In addition to making beautiful artworks inspired by the ideas explored in this project, it was the aim of Imaginative Sky to foster skills of observation, stimulate an appreciation of beauty and discovery, and also foster a further interest in science and art. Colour, light, observation, the beauty of the natural world and space were the central themes explored. The Eve of St Agnes stained glass window by Harry Clarke, Big Bird by Niki de Saint Phalle and paintings by Sean Scully were the artworks from the Hugh Lane’s collection looked at. The stunning The Eve of St Agnes stained glass window by Harry Clarke was the ideal conduit for these explorations because of the way light brings stained glass to life. Also Harry Clarke had a keen eye for detail and his acute observations of the natural world is evident in his stained glass masterpiece. The Harry Clarke stained glass window is like a magnificent jewel of colour and light. During practical art workshops each week in the Gallery’s Learning Resource Centre, the ideas in the project were explored through experiments using prisms, magnets, lenses, fossils, meteorites, shells, colour mixing as well as through the creation of new art work by the children.
The Imaginative Sky project at the Hugh Lane was co-ordinated by Jessica O'Donnell, Curator of Education and Research.

A display of artwork made by the children during this project was launched by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Andrew Montague on Thursday 14 June at 11.15am.  The display was on view in the Entrance Hall and outside the Learning Resource Centre on the second floor until 14 July 2012.