ALL FORMS OF PUBLIC ART

Featuring All Forms Of Public Art

WIND SAIL SCULPTURE BY EAMON O’DOHERTY ALFIE BYRNE ROAD CLONTARF

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AUGUST 2017 LEGACY PHOTO COLLECTION BY WILLIAM MURPHY

Eamon O’Doherty’s Wind Sail Sculpture on Clontarf Promenade

The Clontarf promenade is a much-loved amenity, offering stunning views of Dublin Bay. But it also serves a vital purpose: protecting the area from flooding. Before the construction of the seawall, Clontarf was prone to frequent flooding due to its location and vulnerability to southeasterly gales. The promenade now acts as the main flood defence, safeguarding homes and businesses.

As you stroll along the promenade, you’ll encounter the striking “Wind Sail Sculpture”, created by Derry-born artist Eamon O’Doherty in 1988. Sadly, O’Doherty passed away in August 2011, but his artistic legacy lives on. He is renowned for his large-scale public sculptures, with over 40 located worldwide, and 30 gracing various locations throughout Ireland.

Dublin is fortunate to host six of O’Doherty’s pieces, including the iconic “Golden Tree” at Central Bank Plaza, the poignant James Connolly Memorial at Butt Bridge, and the affectionately nicknamed “Floozy in the Jacuzzi” fountain, originally located on O’Connell Street but now residing in Croppies Memorial Park.

The “Wind Sail Sculpture” is a kinetic work, designed to move with the wind. However, by 2009, the ravages of time and weather had taken their toll, leaving the sculpture immobile and rusted. Thanks to the efforts of local artist Anne McGill, who spearheaded a restoration project, the sculpture has been returned to its former glory. It now stands as a testament to both O’Doherty’s artistic vision and the community’s dedication to preserving public art.

MAOI SCULPTURE IN CLONTARF – REPLICA OF ONE OF THE EASTER ISLAND STATUES

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2017 LEGACY PHOTO COLLECTION BY WILLIAM MURPHY

The “MAOI” sculpture in Clontarf is a replica of one of the iconic Moai statues found on Easter Island, a Chilean territory in the Pacific Ocean. It was presented to the City of Dublin by the Government of Chile in November 2004 as a symbol of friendship and cultural exchange between the two nations.

Meaning and Significance

Moai: The Moai are monolithic human figures carved by the Rapa Nui people of Easter Island between the 13th and 16th centuries. They represent ancestors and deities and were believed to possess spiritual power.
Symbolism: The gift of the Maoi to Dublin signifies a connection between two geographically distant cultures with a shared appreciation for heritage and artistry. It also serves as a reminder of Chile’s Polynesian heritage and its unique cultural identity.

Cultural Exchange: The presentation of the sculpture fostered cultural exchange and understanding between Ireland and Chile, promoting awareness of each other’s history and traditions.
The Sculpture

Replica: The Clontarf Maoi is a faithful replica of an original Easter Island head, carved from volcanic stone sourced from the island itself.
Artist: It was sculpted by Chilean artist Alejandro Pakarati, a member of the Rapa Nui community, ensuring authenticity in its creation.
Location: The sculpture is prominently positioned on the promenade at Clontarf, near Vernon Avenue, making it a recognisable landmark in the area.

https://streetphotos.gallery/Excellent_Picture_This_2017/TheMaoiSculptureInClontarf/index.html

WAVE BY ANGELA CONNER AN IMPRESSIVE EXAMPLE OF PUBLIC ART IN PARK WEST DUBLIN

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LEGACY PHOTO COLLECTION 2017

I have fact-checked the information provided in various accounts and corrected the height of the sculpture, which is 39.3 metres, not 35.3 metres as sometimes reported.

Park West in Dublin is home to a striking piece of public art: Wave, a towering sculpture by renowned English artist Angela Conner FRBS. Standing at a remarkable 39.3 metres (129 feet), it claims the title of Europe’s tallest wind and water mobile sculpture.

Crafted from polystyrene coated in layers of carbon resin, Wave’s elegant form is anchored to a 7.6 metre (25 foot) deep pit filled with 9.5 tonnes of lead. This ingenious design allows the sculpture to gracefully sway and respond to the wind, creating a captivating spectacle of movement and balance.

Angela Conner, a celebrated sculptor with a global presence, is known for her dynamic works that often incorporate natural elements like wind and water. Her impressive portfolio includes large-scale sculptures displayed in public and private collections worldwide.

Interestingly, the initial inspiration for Wave came from observing saplings in Vermont. Conner was fascinated by their ability to bend and sway in the wind while always returning to their centre, a concept she found both visually and philosophically compelling.

Did you know? At the base of the sculpture, jets of water create a delicate spray that, when caught by the sunlight, produces a shimmering rainbow. This adds another dimension to the artwork, further connecting it to the natural world.

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