Groundwork - repost

Well my good friend Katie Mooney-Sheppard (also of Bringing Home The, a lovely food blog) has packed up and followed her dual citizenship to Australia, bringing the one and only hard copy of Groundwork, a zine we made together in 2013, with her. I thought I would re-post my piece from the zine again here as it's perfectly apt for this horrendous January. All of the Lights looks into light within cities, concentrating on Dublin. I talk about SAD, the introduction of street lamps, art works that use light, how a city can brand itself with light, Kaplan & Kaplan's 'soft fascinations', and Christmas decorations.

The images are also by Mooney-Sheppard. In the original hand bound zine they are their own page, inserted between folds. The translucent effect was added for the pdf. Anna Gallagher of Bask Design and Aine Gallagher (two very talented, unrelated girls) also both contributed to Groundwork.

Please open the images below in a new tab to enlarge.

All of the Lights

Here is the entire issue - http://issuu.com/georgiadabizz/docs/groundwork_archizine_january_2013

GROUNDWORK

I have just uploaded the first issue of Groundwork.

Collaborators;


Foreword                                Katie Mooney-Sheppard
The Dublin SITUATION      Áine Gallagher
All of the Lights                     Georgia Corcoran
Come in No. 3                        Anna Gallagher
On The Horizon                     Lorna Murphy
Things To Come                    Katie Mooney-Sheppard

http://issuu.com/georgiadabizz/docs/groundwork_archizine_january_2013

My piece, All Of The Lights, is the first article after the central photo story. We are currently working on our second issue which will have a theme of animals, in an urban context.

Archi Zines competition entry

Below is an excerpt from my essay style piece I included in a zine entered into the Archi Zines competition. It is titled 'All of the Lights' and discusses light within the context of a city environment. The zine was an extension of Groundwork, a recently established initiative I am part of. Its aim is to facilitate the research of members through an exploration of the infrastructure and architecture of Dublin and its surroundings. Monthly tours and outings are the basis of the group.


If you are interested in joining or would like more information, visit groundworkdublin.tumblr.com

All of the Lights

'Cities are places built up around trade and industrialisation. Where people flock for jobs, yet exist beyond their occupation. One is not just, as in small provincial towns, a butcher, a baker, a candlestick maker. With many people seeking security and excitement it becomes vital for each person to create their own identities. When you have been drawn to the bright lights you must stand out amongst the thousands of others. The distinction can be something that you have brought with you but in the depths and lanes and dance halls and shopping centres you are also given the opportunity to start afresh and create an identity that is entirely yours. This diversity of people is also what makes cities special. Is this why cities are filled with lights? To draw things to them. People are intrinsically drawn to light’s bright mysteries, but also to its strength. The sun supplies warmth and nourishment, as does fire. Both can also turn against civilisation. Either way light has been used excessively and notably by religions all across the world and has become essential to a blanket visual associated with cities - the larger, the brighter.'

The above picture is from the inside cover and was taken by Katie Mooney Sheppard - http://www.katiemooneysheppard.com/  The other collaborators were Aine Gallagher, Anna Gallagher and Lorna Murphy. I am currently looking into an inline version of the finished zine as it is a gorgeous publicationa nd I am very proud of it. Currently there is only one hard copy of it.