eva INTERNATIONAL 2012: AFTER THE FUTURE

Limerick City Gallery and other venues, incl 10th Floor Riverpoint, Bishop's Quay, 103-104 O'Connell St, Arthur's Quay Park, Faber Studios, 19 Henry St, Belltable, 69 O'Connell St May 19-Aug 12 eva.ie

After a brief pause, eva, Limerick’s international exhibition of contemporary art, is back, refreshed and reorganized as a biennial rather than an annual, and with a new director, Woodrow Kernohan. The show’s curator, working to a tight deadline, is Annie Fletcher, and apart from a core show of several dozen artists she’s lined up a number of related projects and a fringe strand arranged by Limerick’s surprisingly large number of alternative, lively arts venues.

The title is taken from a book by theorist and activist Franco “Bifo” Berardi. Fletcher’s intention is that the exhibition should not dwell on past mistakes and current economic woes, but look forwards. She is known for the wide geographical spread of her artistic interests and connections and this is reflected in the roll-call of participants – from the late Belgian surrealist Marcel Broodthaers, who turned museological convention on its head, to a number of present-day practitioners. The Irish feature strongly, from Ailbhe Ní Bhriain to Mark O’Kelly, Niamh O’Malley, Sara Pierce (above) and several young, emerging artists.

CAN'T SEE THAT? CATCH THIS:

Revolutionary States: Home Rule Modern Ireland

Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane May 24-Oct 21