ANAM Open Call Commissions 2020
Visual artist Helen Barry, film maker Cian Brennan and landscape architect Sophie Von Maltzan, were the three artists commissioned to create new community-engaged works, as part of DCU's first ANAM Open Call.
As part of the commissions they are building a new pocket park on the All Hallows Campus, creating an interactive visual art project and shooting a documentary about the lives of the people of DCU and its neighbourhoods during lockdown. All three commissions were supported by Dublin City Arts Office and the Arts Council
The Space That Is Us
A micro-pocket park for All Hallows
Commissioned Artist: Sophie Von Maltzan
Artist and Landscape Architect Sophie von Maltzan collaborated with pupils from Grace Park Educate Together and St. Patrick’s NS to design a temporary "micro pocket park" for the All Hallows campus. This innovative project engaged children in exploring nature and play through building temporary installations on the site. The children then created models of their ideal "fun space", which were showcased in an exhibition on site.
Inspired by the children's imaginative models, Sophie von Maltzan designed the micro pocket park, which was installed in June 2021 with the assistance of the DCU Estates team. This collaborative effort not only provided a creative and educational experience for the pupils but also enhanced the All Hallows campus with a unique and playful green space.
How are you?
A short film about life during lockdown
Commissioned Artist: Cian Brennan
"How Are You?" offers an intimate look into the lives of DCU staff, students, and neighbouring community members during the pandemic. Through candid interviews, filmmaker Cian Brennan allows individuals to share their unique stories in their own words, creating a life-affirming portrait of resilience and community spirit during extraordinary times. This commissioned film captures the essence of a place and its people, highlighting their strength and adaptability in facing unprecedented challenges.
Museum of Hope
A visual record of domestic and community life during the pandemic
Commissioned Artist: Helen Barry
"The Museum of Hope" is a collection of artwork created by participants of the Tic-Tac-Hello art project, capturing their personal perspectives on domestic and community life in north Dublin during the pandemic. Led by commissioned artist Helen Barry, this socially engaged art project, offers a poignant and hopeful visual record of resilience, community, and everyday experiences in extraordinary times.
Artist, Helen Barry
The foundations of the Museum of Hope were laid over several months, with participants aged 15 to 80 coming together for weekly online conversations about art and culture, with a specific focus on the DCU Art Collection. With newfound confidence in their creativity and observational skills, they created photographs that capture day-to-day life during the pandemic and the things that have given them hope during this challenging time.
A selection of these photographs was used to create Museum of Hope postcards, which were posted and shared among friends far and near. The gallery below contains some of the images used—it is best viewed on the full-screen setting.
