'Sense in Place' Site-ations Int. Europe 2005/06

'The investigation of a specific site is a matter of extracting concepts out of existing 'sense-data' through direct perceptions One does not impose but rather expose the site ..the unknown areas of sites can best be explored by artists' Robert Smithson, 1969.

'Its not on any map; true places never are.' Herman Melville, 1897.

"SENSE IN PLACE" - Site-ations International, Europe 2005 is a year long site-related arts project exploring thematic, artistic and multi-media responses to different places on the peripheries of Europe. The project involves an exchange of artists from 10 European countries and the dissemination of accrued knowledge within publications, conferences and educational projects.

Sixty artists will investigate the social, historical and environmental contexts of diverse places, both revealing the hidden and often contested nature of these regions.

The international events: "SENSE IN PLACE I-VI" will take place in six co-organizing countries: Wales, Latvia, Poland, Spain, Iceland and Ireland and be complimented by three bi-lateral education projects. (See education)

The programme commences on Aug 2005 and finishes on Aug 2006. It includes:

Calendar of events

No. Location Title Dates

I Sligo, Ireland 'Sense in Place I' Aug 18 - Sep 18, 2005.

II Lodz, Poland 'Factory of Phantasmagoria' Sep 15 - Oct 15, 2005.

III Cardiff, Wales 'Convergence: Ports, Islands, Shorelines ' Oct 1-31, 2005.

IV Riga, Latvia 'Borders as Windows' Apr 15 - May 15 2005

V Zaragoza, Spain 'Water' May 5 - Jun 5 2006.

VI Reykjavik, Iceland 'Sense in Place -Place of Power - Place of Art' May 25 - Jun 25 2006

Calendar of events
No.	Location	Title	Dates
I	Sligo, Ireland	'Sense in Place I'	Aug 18 - Sep 18, 2005.
II	Lodz, Poland	'Factory of Phantasmagoria'	Sep 15 - Oct 15, 2005.
III	Cardiff, Wales	'Convergence: Ports, Islands, Shorelines '	Oct 1-31, 2005.
IV	Riga, Latvia	'Borders as Windows'	Apr 15 - May 15 2005
V	Zaragoza, Spain	'Water'	May 5 - Jun 5 2006.
VI	Reykjavik, Iceland	'Sense in Place -Place of Power - Place of Art'	May 25 - Jun 25 2006

Aware of the homogenizing tendencies imposed by political, economic and global constraints artists are re-discovering the complexities of 'place' through more site-related and inter-disciplinary models. Being 'in place' shifts the artist from a position of external spectator allowing them to retrieve the hidden histories and processes within place without which the environment remains abstract and remote. 'Sense in Place' in the European dimension is constructed from both unity and diversity. Each revealing the dialectical tension between local and international space; and reflected in the struggle for cultural identity at national, regional and local level.

The total project events include:

International Exhibitions: "SENSE IN PLACE" I - VI
Education Project, 'Mapping Place - Mapping Europe'
Conference I, National Museums and Galleries of Wales, Cardiff, Dec., 2005.
Conference II, Model and Niland Gallery, Sligo, Ireland June, 2006. see symposium
Catalogue: a multi-lingual collaboration of exhibitions, education projects and histories in 7 languages. (Published August 2006.)
Civic Reception/Catalogue Launch, "From There to Here", State Art Museum, Riga, Latvia, July 13-16;
Curators Workshop and Evaluation, "Contexts and Visions", Reykjavik Energy, July27 -July31 2006.

The purpose of "Sense in Place" is to:

develop site-specific and multi-media art practices that explore the hidden and contested nature of place within the peripheral regions of Europe.
share deeper understandings of different histories, identities and cultural practices.
create innovative environmental arts practice for the benefit of public and educational dialogue.