Archive for the ‘kingston university’ Category

Kitchen Power launched at the National Museum of Ireland, July 2019

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The Kitchen Power exhibition was launched on Friday 19th July by Mrs. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland. Mrs. Robinson gave a speech where she linked the impact that rural electrification had on women in rural Ireland with the efforts to combat the climate crisis through feminist solutions, including access to water and electricity in undeveloped areas of the world. Despite some heavy rain, the launch was very well attended, including participants in both the oral history and textile art project, as well as local dignitaries.



Mary Robinson launching the Kitchen Power exhibition

Mary Robinson launching the Kitchen Power exhibition, with one of Olafur Eliasson’s Little Suns. Photo by Joseph O’Brien


Dr O'Brien, staff of the National Museum of Ireland and the ESB, and interview participants with Mary Robinson

L-R: Brigid O’Brien, ICA member and interview participant; Cllr Michael Kilcoyne, Cathaoirleach Castlebar Council; Noreen Durken, ICA member, interview and textile art project participant; Brendan Delany, ESB; Cllr Brendan Mulroy, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council; Mrs. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland; Catherine Heaney, Chair of the Board of the National Museum of Ireland; Lynn Scarff, Director of the National Museum of Ireland; Noel Campbell, Curator, National Museum of Ireland – Country Life; Dr. Sorcha O’Brien, Curator, Kingston University, London. Photo courtesy of the NMI


Maura McGuinness presenting Mary Robinson with a textile craft kit

Maura McGuinness presenting Mary Robinson with a textile craft kit. Photo by Joseph O’Brien


Sorcha O'Brien and interview participant Brigid O'Brien showing Mary Robinson the oral histories

Sorcha O’Brien and interview participant Brigid O’Brien showing Mary Robinson the oral histories. Photo courtesy of the NMI


Interview participants inspecting the Kitchen Power exhibition

Lynda Dunne, Josephine Scannell, Mary Ann Egan and Colm Scannell inspecting the Kitchen Power exhibition. Photo courtesy of the NMI


The curatorial and design team

The curatorial and design team L-R: Dr. Sorcha O’Brien, Kingston University, London; Noel Campbell, National Museum of Ireland – Country Life; Ann Scroope, Wendy Williams and Caroline O’Connor of Scroope Design


Oral history interview participants Biddle Lawlor and Rachel Botha, both from Kilkenny, at the Kitchen Power exhibition opening. Photo courtesy of Rachel Botha.

Oral history interview participants Biddle Lawlor and Rachel Botha, both from Kilkenny, at the Kitchen Power exhibition opening. Photo courtesy of Rachel Botha.


Kingston Research Week Exhibition

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The events of Kingston Research Week were intended to highlight the different forms of research being carried on within the University, and the Kingston School of Art participation included a series of research talks and an exhibition in the Platform Gallery in Knights Park campus, running from 3rd to the 7th April.

 

Opening of the Kingston University Research Week Exhibition, Knights Park campus

Opening of the Kingston University Research Week Exhibition, Knights Park campus

 

Sorcha gave a talk on the research project on the Tuesday, outlining the overall breadth of the project, as well as the progress of the research. This particularly dealt with the usefulness of oral history as a methodology, not only providing confirmation of archival sources, but providing Irish women’s own perspectives on the changes brought by rural electrification some 50 or 60 years on.

The exhibition included an installation of clips from the oral history interviews collected so far, covering women’s experiences before and after rural electrification, as well as contributions from ESB demonstration staff and the role of the ICA. The looping audio received particular attention from students and staff alike, largely because it allowed them to hear the voices of the interviewees themselves speaking about their experience.

 

Research Week installations showing Geraldine O'Reilly talking about her FAM washing machine

Research Week installation showing Geraldine O’Reilly talking about her FAM washing machine