Irish Art Scene

13th Jan 2012 (Fri) - 16th Jan 2012 (Mon) from 19:00 - 18:00 Makeshift Ensemble in association with WRKSHP @ Sample Studios presents: Let's Play! Design an exhibition of theatre design, comprisind set, costume and sound design. The exhibition comes as the fourth event of Makeshift Ensemble Let's Play! theatre development programme. The aim of this event is to showcase the design talent in Cork , introduce new designers and to put theatre design into the limelight for once and allow an insight for the public into this aspect of theatre. The exhibition is also preceded by a two day workshop on theatre design for the participating artists which is facilitated by Lisa Lilywhite theatre designer. Opening Times: Friday 7pm Official Opening (drinks and a DJ) Saturday 10am - 6pm Sunday 12am - 4pm Monday 10am - 6pm Let's Play! is supported by the Arts Council and the exhibition was made possible with the generous suppor

Art Studies 2012: Great Art in the Context of its Time Dates and Venue: 12 January to 29 March, Thursdays 6.30pm, Gallery Lecture Theatre. This series of twelve talks will explore what constitutes great works of art: antiquities, stained glass, paintings, sculpture, museums, architecture and interiors.  12 January - What is a Masterpiece? Nigel Rolfe, Artist, Senior Critic, University of Pennsylvania, School of Design; Chelsea College of Art; Fine Arts Course Tutor, Royal College of Art 19 January - Renaissance Master Sculptor - Michelangelo Dr Paula Murphy, University College Dublin 26 January - Masterpieces of Irish Antiquities Peter Harbison, Royal Irish Academy 2 February - Venetian Renaissance Master: Titian Dr Philip Cottrell, University College Dublin 9 February - Great 20th-century Architecture: Hans Scharoun's Berlin Philharmonie Professor Hugh Campbell,

The Copper House Gallery will launch Coal Story , a photographic exhibition by Darek Fortas on Wednesday 11th January 2012 from 6pm-8pm. Artist Anthony Haughey will open the exhibition. Coal Story , the first solo exhibition by Darek Fortas, is a result of an extensive photographic engagement with the two largest coal mining companies in the European Union located in Silesia, the most industrialised part of Poland. Coal Story combines contemporary photography and archival research dating back to the 1960s, when Poland experienced significant economic and industrial expansion. In the early 1980s, coal mines were a major site of struggle and resistance against the communist regime. Workers’ protests resulted in the creation of Solidarity - a workers’ and citizens' movement under the leadership of Lech Walesa. The coal miners actions eventually led to the collapse of communism and the end of the Cold War. This exhibition is part of the inaugural Fire Propeller Competi