Infomatique

IS IT GENUINE PUBLIC ART OR SOMETHING ELSE

The Lock Keeper statue near the 10th Lock on the Royal Canal in Ashtown always piqued my curiosity. Is this life-sized figure, seemingly frozen in time as he carries out his duties, a piece of public art commemorating the canal’s heritage, or something else entirely?

The timing of its installation, coinciding with the opening of the Lock Keeper Pub just steps away, raises an intriguing question. Could this statue be a clever marketing ploy, a promotional device designed to draw attention to the new establishment and create a thematic link to the canal’s history?

The absence of a plaque, any record of a public unveiling ceremony, and the lack of readily available information about the artist or commission all point towards this possibility. It’s conceivable that the pub, or its landlord, commissioned the statue as a way to enhance the area and attract customers, rather than as a purely artistic endeavour.

If this is the case, it presents a fascinating example of how private businesses can utilise art to shape public spaces and even influence our perception of history. The statue, whether intended as public art or a promotional tool, undeniably adds to the character of the canal towpath and serves as a reminder of Ashtown’s rich past, interwoven with its present-day development.

The Lock Keeper can be found at Lock 10, a double lock constructed in 1792 with quality stonework and attractive sloping edges. One of 46 along the 145km Royal Canal, which runs from the River Liffey to the River Shannon, Lock 10 stands as a testament to the skill of its builders. Originally built for freight and passenger transportation, the canal saw its last working barges cease operation in 1951 and was officially closed to traffic in 1960. The pub sits adjacent to the former Lock Keeper’s House, a post rendered obsolete by the canal’s closure.

Now beautifully maintained by Waterways Ireland, the lock, the sculpture, and the pub are easily accessible from Dublin City Centre. Arrive by canoe, enjoy a leisurely walk or cycle along the towpath, or take a scenic short train journey from Connolly Station to Ashtown.

Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless Camera (Body Only), Full-Frame Camera, 6K 60p RAW, 4K 120p Video, 24.1 Megapixel CMOS Sensor, DIGIC X Image Processor, for Sports, Action, Black

• High Image Quality: Canon EOS R3 is small video camera that features a stacked, back-side illuminated 24.1-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor for phenomenal low-light performance, image clarity and level of detail
• Powerful Image Processor: DIGIC X image processor with an ISO range of 100-102400; expandable to 204800; powers 4K camera capture, enhances detail, reduces noise and more with high speed and efficiency
• High-Speed Continuous Shooting: Digital video camera featuring high-speed shooting of up to 12 fps with mechanical shutter and up to 30 fps using electronic (silent) shutter
• Exceptional Autofocus: Dual pixel CMOS AF with 1,053 AF points; improved servo AF cases utilize eye, body, face, head (now including helmets), animal and vehicle subject detection; Eye Control AF capability enables photographers to select focus points simply by looking at them
• High-Resolution Video Capture: EOS R3 portable video camera captures 6K RAW at up to 60 fps, 4K at up to 120 fps with firmware 1.2.0 or higher, or Full-HD at up to 240 fps uncropped — a stellar 4K camera for video recording
• Panning Assist: Subject tracking and optical image stabilization detect and correct motion blur on the panned subject during exposure; leads to more keepers at slower shutter speeds; works when Panning Assist is enabled on the EOS R3 compact digital camera with firmware 1.4.0 or later
• Registered Person Priority: Registered Person Priority allows for the recognition, prioritization and tracking of up to 10 specific, registered people; works when Registered Person Priority is enabled on the EOS R3 firmware 1.4.0 or later

$4,499.00