There are those who argue that Culture Night should be a more regular occurrence, and that galleries should open late once a month to give patrons busy during the day a chance to sample some art after dark. The counter-argument, of course, is that most galleries are already doing this, with one-off events, festivals and special evenings scattered liberally throughout the calendar.
And this weekend’s Dublin Gallery Weekend proves the point. From Friday to Sunday, 36 galleries will be holding events, openings, talks and tours, with nearly everything free of charge. Among those taking part are the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Mart Gallery, Douglas Hyde, RHA, Project Arts Centre, NCAD, Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane and many more, while walking tours will be showcasing the history and artistic heritage of areas such as Trinity, Parnell Square, Monto, The Coombe, Merrion Square, St Stephens Green and Temple Bar.
On Friday, the Library Project will be hosting the Halftone Print Fair from 11am to 6pm, while the Oliver Sears will have a lunchtime talk with sculptor Jason Ellis, who will discuss new work in his exhibition Old Anatomy. The Mart Gallery will be encouraging its patrons to Ask the Artist Anything between 1pm and 3pm. So Fine Art Editions is exploring 'The Idea of North' with its new group show, while Temple Bar Gallery and Studios will be keeping its doors open late, and the RHA is hosting its latest edition of its Hennessy Lost Fridays parties.
Events continue throughout the weekend, so for full listings see dublingalleryweekend.ie, and check out this Dublin gallery map featuring more than 50 locations, which is dead handy for weekend wanders at any time of the year.
