HEADLESS URBAN EXPRESSION

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Murals

THE MURALS BY CLAIRE PROUVOST AT TARA STREET DART STATION 8 DECEMBER 2024

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THIS TIME I USED AN iPHONE 12 PRO MAX

I first photographed these murals a few weeks ago, around Halloween, using an Apple iPhone XR. However, the quality wasn’t great. Today, while waiting for a train, I took another opportunity to capture them with my iPhone 12 Pro Max and the Halide app. I recently (15 November 2024) updated to iOS 18.2 Beta 3, but unfortunately, the new Apple Intelligence features will not be supported on my current iPhones so I plan to order the Mac Mini M4 Pro before Christmas to experiment with these new features on a compatible device.

In the USA, Apple Intelligence has been partially implemented since the release of iOS 18.1 on 28 October 2024. Currently, it is limited to the iPhone 16 models and the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, and only functions with US English. I understand that some features will become available in Britain and Ireland later this month, but not in the rest of the EU. It’s interesting that Ireland, an EU member state, will have access to Apple Intelligence earlier than other EU countries (where it is delayed until April). This suggests that the rollout may be influenced by language considerations.

Here are some of the key features Apple has implemented in Photos with Apple Intelligence:

Advanced search: You can search for photos and videos using natural language, like “Maya skateboarding in a tie-dye shirt” or “Sadie cartwheeling on the grass”. Apple Intelligence understands the content of your images and can find what you’re looking for even if you haven’t used specific keywords to tag them.
Automatic movie creation: The Memories feature can now create movies based on your descriptions. For example, you could type “a movie about our family vacation to the beach” and Apple Intelligence will select the best photos and videos, craft a storyline with chapters, and even suggest music from Apple Music to match.
Clean Up tool: This tool can identify and remove distracting objects in the background of a photo without altering the subject.
Apple hasn’t announced a specific timeline for expanding Apple Intelligence to other iPhone models or languages. However, it is likely that they will continue to roll out these features to more users in future software updates. Keep an eye on Apple’s official website and press releases for the latest news and announcements about Apple Intelligence.

In June 2023, to mark Pride Month, Irish Rail unveiled a vibrant new mural by Dublin-based French artist Claire Prouvost. The mural spans 65 square metres of the arches on the southbound platform of Tara Street Station.

About the Mural:

Theme: The artwork celebrates diversity, love, and everyday life, with a focus on the LGBTQIA+ community.
Style: Prouvost’s style is inspired by Cubism, with bold colours, geometric shapes, and a sense of movement. The mural features interconnected figures and symbols representing the diversity of people who pass through the station.
Interactive Elements: QR codes are installed near the mural, allowing viewers to learn more about the artist, the project, and the themes it explores.
About the Artist:

Claire Prouvost is a French visual artist who has made Dublin her home. She is known for her large-scale murals and public art installations. Her work often explores themes of human connection, social inclusion, and the vibrancy of urban life. Prouvost has collaborated with brands like Gucci, Lavazza, Guinness, and Brown Thomas.

About Tara Street Station:

Tara Street Station is a busy railway station in Dublin city centre. It serves as a major transportation hub for commuters and visitors, connecting to various destinations across Ireland. The station’s location in the heart of the city makes it a prominent public space, and the addition of Prouvost’s mural enhances its visual appeal and contributes to Dublin’s vibrant arts scene.

ST PETERS LANE IN PHIBSBOROUGH LEGACY PHOTO COLLECTION

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BACK IN JULY 2022 IT HOSTED SOME MURALS BUT THE QUALITY WAS IN DECLINE

I visited the area about an hour later and someone had dumped a office furniture and a number of old televisions in one of the lanes.

St Peter’s Lane is a small, somewhat forgotten lane in Phibsborough, Dublin 7. Connecting Cabra Park and St. Peter’s Road, it’s tucked away in a network of similar lanes, which can make it a bit tricky to find.

For a time, the lack of clear signage led to some confusion about its actual name. Many locals, myself included, referred to it as Cabra Lane. However, recently installed signs have confirmed its official name as St Peter’s Lane.

Unfortunately, this little lane has faced persistent challenges with fly-tipping. Despite various attempts to combat this issue, including community clean-ups, street art competitions, and the creation of impressive murals, the problem seems to return in a frustratingly cyclical manner.

It’s a real shame because the street art initiatives have brought moments of colour and vibrancy to the lane. Some truly talented artists have contributed their skills to create high-quality murals, temporarily transforming the area. But, sadly, the illegal dumping often reappears, undermining these positive efforts.

ETAIN IS A MURAL BY NINA VALKHOFF

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AT MEAT MARKET LANE IN DROGHEDA

As the laneway is narrow it was difficult to photograph this large mural in Drogheda when I visited to town a few days ago.

While the people of Drogheda may not have the best mural in the world they do have the best one in Ireland!
The results are in for Street Art Cities best of 2022 global competition and Muralist Nina Valkhoff’s “Étaín” mural has placed 38th out of 100 of the Best Murals across the globe! However, there is still cause for celebration as the mural has ranked highest out of the four Irish nominations

Street Art Cities is the largest street art community in the world.

Forgotten buildings, laneways and entire urban areas can lend themselves to colour and vibrant storytelling when murals are installed and used to ignite old stories, as is the case with Étaín and the five other mythological murals that make up the DRAWDA Urban Art Project.

History Of Meat Market Lane

Origin of the Name: As the name suggests, Meat Market Lane was once the central location for Drogheda’s meat market. It housed wooden sheds or “shambles” where butchers sold their wares.
18th Century Relocation: In 1778, a decision was made to move the meat vendors from open stalls on West Street to a more organised space along the north side of Dyer Street. This led to the establishment of the meat market in what is now known as Meat Market Lane.

Transition and Modern Times: Over time, the meat market’s function diminished, and the lane evolved into a passage connecting West Street and Dyer Street. In recent years, it has seen revitalisation efforts, including the addition of the “Étaín” mural as part of the DRAWDA Urban Art Project. It now houses some businesses, including a restaurant.
 
Meat Market Lane runs parallel to West Street, one of Drogheda’s main thoroughfares.  
It connects West Street to Dyer Street, providing a convenient pedestrian walkway between the two.
It is located close to Drogheda Town Centre, a popular shopping destination.  

Significance

Meat Market Lane serves as a reminder of Drogheda’s rich commercial history, reflecting the town’s evolution over centuries.
The presence of the “Étaín” mural and its connection to the DRAWDA Urban Art Trail highlight the lane’s growing importance in Drogheda’s cultural scene.

Nina’s mural is part of the DRAWDA multidisciplinary public arts programme, launched in Drogheda, Co. Louth between November 2021, and April 2022, culminating in an Urban Art Trail throughout Drogheda that focuses on key figures and moments from our mythological past.

Nina Valkhoff is a talented muralist and painter based in Rotterdam, Netherlands. She’s been creating large-scale murals for over two decades and is known for her distinctive style, often featuring endangered species surrounded by vibrant flora.  

Some notable aspects of her work include:

Focus on nature: Her murals frequently depict animals and plants, often highlighting endangered species to raise awareness about conservation.  
Large-scale projects: She specialises in large-scale murals that transform urban landscapes, adding colour and visual interest to buildings and walls.  
Vibrant colour palette: Her work is characterised by a bold use of colour, creating eye-catching and dynamic compositions.
International recognition: She has created murals in various countries and her work has been featured in the Street Art Cities’ “Best of 2022” global competition.  
In addition to the “Étaín” mural in Drogheda, some of her other notable works include murals for the STRAAT Museum in Amsterdam and collaborations with institutions like the Mauritshuis museum.  

If you’d like to learn more about Nina Valkhoff and her art, you can visit her website or search for her work on social media platforms.

MURALS IN THE PARK BY KIRSTY MAHER

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CARLOW TOWN PARK AND PLAYGROUND

Carlow Town Park Takes Flight: Kirstie Maher’s Bird Murals Bring Nature’s Beauty to Life

Carlow Town Park is now home to a vibrant series of bird murals, thanks to the vision of Ciaran Brennan who commissioned local artist Kirstie Maher to bring nature’s beauty to the park.

Maher, a Carlow native known for her captivating public art, has a knack for creating murals that resonate with the community. Her recent piece, “Progression Towards Unity,” at The Exchange in Carlow Town, beautifully portrays themes of community and unity through the symbolism of fireflies.

This new series in Carlow Town Park is another testament to Maher’s talent and her commitment to enriching her hometown’s cultural landscape. Through her vivid depictions of birds, she hopes to inspire, spark conversations, and bring a touch of joy to park visitors.

BY HOLLY PEREIRA – GEORGE’S LANE IN NEWBRIDGE

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THE ONLY EXAMPLE OF STREET ART THAT I SAW IN NEWBRIDGE

There seems to be limited street art easily visible in Newbridge compared to other towns. However, there’s evidence suggesting a recent surge in street art activity, particularly in the summer of 2023.

Recent street art additions:

George’s Lane: The artwork in this photograph was likely part of this initiative. After some research I can confirm that this is by Holly Pereira and it could be described as being on Eyre Street.
Eyre Street: Murals by Holly Pereira and others were created here. I will visit again as I did not explore this street. 
Military Road: Paul Woods contributed a mural on the Council Machinery Yard Wall.

Reasons for limited visibility:

New initiatives: The recent projects indicate a budding street art scene, so it may take time for more works to appear and gain visibility.
Location: Some murals might be in less prominent locations, making them harder to discover without specifically seeking them out.
Temporary nature: Street art can be ephemeral, with works painted over or removed over time.

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TEMPLE BAR WAS VERY COLOURFUL TODAY

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IMMEDIATELY AFTER SOME REALLY INTENSE RAIN

Temple Bar was very colourful today, immediately after some really intense rain. The light reflecting off the cobblestones made everything look bright and colourful, especially the street art by Shane Sutton on the builders’ hoarding. Shane Sutton is a well-known Irish street artist known for his vibrant and often humorous murals.

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