URBAN EXPRESSION BY THE URBAN CARTOGRAPHER

There Is Much To See Here

Public art

HERBERT HABITAT AN EXAMPLE OF STREET ART AT THE HIVE IN HERBERT PARK

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PHOTOGRAPHED USING A SONY A7RIV

I was unable to properly photograph this artwork as there were children playing at being “pirates” in the immediate area.

“Herbert Habitat,” a vibrant piece of street art, graces the walls of The Hive in Herbert Park, Dublin 4. Commissioned by Dublin City Council Parks and Biodiversity, the artwork was created by artists selected through the Dublin Canvas initiative.

The Hive in Herbert Park is a community centre that offers a variety of spaces for rent. These spaces can be used for meetings, yoga, pilates, dance, drama, and other activities. It is a valuable resource for local groups and organisations looking for a place to meet or hold events.  

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.

MURALS BY CLAIRE PROUVOST AT TARA STREET DART STATION

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HALLOWEEN 2024

This was my first opportunity to photograph these murals on the southbound platform at Tara Street DART station but on my return home I could not access the photographs on my iPhone as all but one had disappeared. Yesterday [15 November 2024] after updating to iOS 18.2 Beta 3 I got a message that a number of photographs could be recovered and here they are.

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 meters of the arches on the southbound platform of the 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.  

As of right now, the most recent beta version of Apple iOS is iOS 18.2 beta 3. This was released to developers on November 8th, 2024, and shortly after to public beta testers. It’s possible that a newer beta version (iOS 18.2 beta 4) might be released soon, as Apple seems to be moving quickly with the iOS 18.2 updates.

Apple initially stated that Apple Intelligence features would not be available in the EU until April 2025. This delay was attributed to compliance issues with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to regulate Big Tech companies and promote competition. However, Apple later clarified that these features would be available in Ireland and the UK by December 2024. This suggests that Apple has found a way to address the DMA concerns for these specific markets, possibly due to their close ties with the US and the English language.

Possible reasons for Ireland’s inclusion in the earlier release:

English Language: Apple Intelligence relies heavily on language processing, and English is one of the primary languages it supports. This might make it easier for Apple to deploy these features in English-speaking countries like Ireland and the UK.

Data Privacy Regulations: While Ireland is an EU member, it might have slightly different data privacy regulations or interpretations compared to other EU countries. This could potentially facilitate an earlier rollout of Apple Intelligence.

Economic and Political Considerations: Ireland has a strong economic relationship with the US, and Apple has a significant presence in the country. These factors might have influenced Apple’s decision to prioritise Ireland in the rollout.

It’s important to note:

This is still a developing situation, and Apple’s plans could change.
The exact reasons for Ireland’s inclusion in the earlier release timeline haven’t been officially confirmed by Apple.
It remains to be seen how the DMA will impact the full functionality of Apple Intelligence in Ireland and other EU countries in the long term.

I will keep an eye on any further updates or announcements from Apple regarding the rollout of Apple Intelligence in Ireland and the EU. In the meantime, it’s good news for Irish users that they might get to experience these new features sooner than initially expected!

SAFE HOME OR SLAN ABHAILE IF YOU ARE SPEAKING IRISH

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PAINT-A-BOX AT THE OVAL IN PALMERSTOWN

Artist: Andrew McCarthy
Artwork Title: ‘Safe Home’
Location: ‘The Oval’, Palmerstown, Dublin 14
Year: 2018
Council: South Dublin County Council

McCarthy aimed to create a piece deeply connected to the local area. As a former pupil of a nearby primary school, his memories of walking home in his old snorkel jacket and carrying a heavy schoolbag inspired him. The simplicity of those days comes through in the artwork. Now an adult living in the area, McCarthy also observes that the track can become heavily congested as it sits before the final set of lights leading to the N4 motorway. This element is also captured in the work.

The boy depicted in the piece walks in the direction of the track, and the ‘Slain Abhaile’ symbolises a wish for a safe journey home for everyone.

Biography:
Andrew McCarthy works as a Graphic Designer for Freeney’s Graphics. His specialisation lies in vehicle and wall graphics, a profession he greatly enjoys. Many of his designs can be seen on vehicles throughout Dublin. With a lifelong passion for drawing and painting, McCarthy is presently working on a collection of original pieces. He anticipates launching his own website by the end of the summer.

The Oval at Palmerstown is a crèche and Montessori school located at 2 Palmerstown Avenue, Dublin 20. It is committed to the best interests of children, respecting their rights, needs, and interests.

The Oval Crèche and Montessori School offers a variety of programs including a Toddler Room, Pre-Montessori, Montessori, and After-School programs. They also participate in the ECCE Government Preschool Scheme, which applies to children aged between 3 years 2 months and 4 years 6 months on 1st September in any given year.

The school’s ethos is centred around happy children, friendly caring staff, happy parents, and positive interactions. They aim to support the learning and development of each individual child by providing an integrated, balanced, broad, and stimulating curriculum.

The Oval Crèche and Montessori School is based in Palmerstown, Dublin, and is easily accessible for local residents. It provides a safe, secure, and stimulating environment that embraces all children and values their race, gender, age, disability, culture, class, and religion.

HALLOWEEN MURALS BY ERAQUARIO

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A BRAZILIAN STREET ARTIST

Unfortunately, information about the Brazilian illustrator and street artist Eraquario is limited. While their work is visually striking and has been featured in some online galleries and articles, detailed biographical information or critical analysis is scarce.

Here’s what I could gather:

Style: Eraquario’s style appears to be a blend of vibrant colours, bold lines, and abstract forms, often incorporating elements of nature and human figures. Their street art often interacts with the urban environment, adding a splash of colour and imagination to otherwise mundane spaces.
Locations: Eraquario’s work has been documented in Dublin, Ireland, and presumably in Brazil, although specific locations are not widely publicised.
Themes: Based on available images, their work might touch on themes of nature, urban life, and human connection, but this is speculative without artist statements.
Online Presence: Eraquario seems to maintain a low online profile, with limited presence on social media or personal websites.

[Update] A friend of mine saw my photograph of this and dismissed it as not being original as it was a stencil. I have never given the matter any consideration I decided to investigate the subject but I will leave it to you to reach your own conclusions []

In street art, a stencil is a thin sheet of material, like paper or cardboard, with a design cut out of it. This sheet is then placed against a surface, and spray paint is applied over it. When the stencil is removed, the design is left behind on the surface.  

Stencils are produced by:

Creating the design: The artist first creates the design they want to use. This can be done by hand or using a computer.  
Cutting the stencil: The design is then carefully cut out of the chosen material using a sharp knife or scalpel.  
Preparing the surface: The surface the stencil will be used on is cleaned and prepared.  
Applying the stencil: The stencil is then placed against the surface and held in place with tape or adhesive.
Spray painting: Spray paint is applied over the stencil, ensuring an even coat.  
Removing the stencil: Once the paint is dry, the stencil is carefully removed, revealing the design.

Do stencils indicate that the artwork is not original or totally the artist’s work? Not necessarily. While stencils allow for easy reproduction of a design, the original design itself is still the artist’s creation. Additionally, the way the stencil is used, the colours chosen, and the placement of the artwork all contribute to the final piece, making it unique.

However, some may argue that using stencils reduces the originality and skill involved in creating street art compared to freehand painting. Ultimately, whether or not a stencil-based artwork is considered original depends on the individual’s perspective.

Many famous street artists, like Banksy, use stencils extensively in their work, and their art is highly valued and recognised.

MURAL ON YORK ROAD BY MARIANA DUARTE SANTOS

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DUN LAOGHAIRE REF-240656-1

There is a mural on York Road in Dún Laoghaire by Mariana Duarte Santos. This mural was created as part of the Dún Laoghaire Anseo project, which aims to enhance the town’s public spaces with art.

While I don’t have specific details about the imagery or themes depicted in the mural, I can tell you a bit about Mariana Duarte Santos’ artistic style. She often draws inspiration from old photographs and films, creating a sense of nostalgia and reanimating forgotten images. Her work often connects the history of a place with the present through the medium of street art.  

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