Imma facing into a busy year of exhibitions and excavations

SMALL PRINT:MINISTER FOR Culture Mary Hanafin launched Imma's 20th anniversary programme yesterday.

The eye-catching event of the year is certainly April’s exhibition of painting by celebrated Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, drawn from the exceptional Gelman Collection of Mexican art. Among the Irish artists who feature are the painter Barrie Cooke, marking his 80th birthday with a June retrospective of 70 works from the early 1960s to the present day, and Gerard Byrne, the subject of a substantial survey show encompassing his work of the last decade, also in June. Cooke and Byrne are pre-eminent artists of their respective generations.

Imma has built its collection very successfully on the basis of loans, gifts and bequests, and an exciting initiative this year is inaugurated by an exhibition in July. Out of the Dark Room features 140 photographs from the very fine David Kronn Collection in New York, which extends back to 19th century Daguerreotypes right up to contemporary works. Kronn intends to gift his entire collection to Imma, with an annual bequest of a number of works each year, starting with Annie Leibovitz’s portrait of the sculptor Louise Bourgeois. The project is a huge boost for Imma’s holding of photography.

The year sees two other less welcome events of note, one included in the programme, the other not. The first is the closure of the main museum building from November this year until January 2013. The lengthy closure is necessitated by the nature of the historic, 17th century building, and involves substantial works including the installation of a new wiring system, enhanced security and fire prevention systems, improved flooring, a new artworks lift and a fire escape. All will contribute significantly to the building’s suitability as a museum. Imma is currently in the process of acquiring a venue in the city, for off-site events during the closure. The location of the venue will be revealed shortly, Imma director Enrique Juncosa said.

The second event, which doesn’t feature in the programme, is the end of Juncosa’s tenure as director after eight-and-a-half years. With the end of his current contract coming up this summer, it seems like a suitable time to move on. His directorship is generally regarded as being extremely successful, he has personally enjoyed it, and, while he will be based abroad, he hopes to maintain contacts with Ireland. His departure may be pushed back into the autumn, depending on the needs of the museum. The position is a vital one in Irish cultural life, and the choice of a successor is important.