Shane de Blacam; John Meagher
De Blacam and Meagher are masters of the craft of building. For the 16th International Architecture Exhibition they make a wonderful connection with Venice through the painting and drawing by Gentile Bellini, A Procession in St Mark’s Square. Working with the artist Alice Hanratty they have made a drawing, ‘after Bellini’, of the central social space of their building at the Cork Institute of Technology. This drawing sets the scene for the values expressed in their FREESPACE installation. The Cork project is presented alongside Canada House overlooking St Stephen’s Green in Dublin. The red brick Cork building invents a timeless public space for this institution. The white Roach Bed Portland stone building creates a strong new cornerstone in the city consolidating the 17th-century Dublin square. The red and white walls and the magic of Venice penetrate the thinking of these architects. The red Cork building is an extraordinary ensemble of brick surfaces and spaces. The white stone Dublin building has a classical stillness and poise. The installation shows other works in Ibiza and the combination of drawings, books, and photos, create an atmosphere of calm contemplation where one feels the ability of these architects to deliver an architecture which truly enriches our civic lives.
YF+SMcN