XVIII - Stories of TULCA

TULCA Festival of Visual Arts’ UnSelfing Programme
Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture
Book launch and panel discussion
17 April 2021, 6.30pm

TULCA Festival of Visual Arts and Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture present:

XVIII - Stories of TULCA
Book launch and panel discussion
17 April 2021, 6.30pm

Official launch of XVIII - Stories of TULCA by James Harrold (Galway City Arts Officer) with readings by contributors Deirdre O’Mahony (TULCA Board), Margaret Flannery (TULCA Board), Sarah Browne (TULCA 2020 Curator) and Susanna Galbraith (Editor, Nothing to Look Forward to But the Past, Abridged). Facilitated by Joanna McGlynn (TULCA Education Founder).

Followed by a panel discussion: ‘What’s next for TULCA in a fast changing art-world?’, with guests Marilyn Gaughan Reddan (TULCA Board and Galway 2020), Áine Phillips (TULCA Live Curator 2005-2007), Kerry Guinan (TULCA 2019 Curator) and Matt Packer (TULCA 2017 Curator). Chaired by Michaële Cutaya (Editor, XVIII - Stories of TULCA).

00-00-00: Opening credits and TULCA trailer.
00-01-50: Joanna McGlynn’s opening remarks and introduction of the readers.
00-07-20: Deirdre O’Mahony reads the Foreword.
00-14-00: Margaret Flannery reads excerpt from Conceptual Invitation written by Lucy Elvis.
00-18-50: Sarah Browne reads an excerpt from her curator’s text ‘The Law is a White Dog’.
00-23-40: Susanna Galbraith reads an excerpt from her text ‘Everything is a Shoreline.’
00-29-00: Joanna introduces James Harrold.
00-30-20: James Harold launches XVIII–Stories of TULCA.
00-40-15: intermission with TULCA trailer.
00-43-00: Joanna introduces Michaële Cutaya.
00-43-45: Michaële introduces discussion ‘What’s Next for TULCA?’ and the panelists.
00-50-40: Marilyn Gaughan Reddan responds.
00-59-00: Dr Áine Phillips responds.
01-08-20: Kerry Guinan responds.
01-15-10: Matt Packer responds.
01-23-20: Panel discussion.
01-45-00: Q&A.
02-15-00: Joanna closing remarks.
02-18-00: End credits.

XVIII - Stories of TULCA is a new publication that marks the 18th anniversary of TULCA Festival of Visual Arts and documents its UnSelfing Programme for Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture.

For this new book, TULCA's past festival curators consider curating as a form of 'caring' in relation to their edition of the festival. Chairs from the board talk about the challenges of keeping Galway’s visual arts festival going and growing. What emerges is a portrait of an organisation committed to upholding curators’ and artists’ visions and tightly implicated in the city and county of Galway through board and team members, as well as numerous volunteers. This dive into TULCA lore is an occasion to revisit stories, remember others and discover many as well as to reflecting upon paths not taken. The publication also includes five commissions from artists representing the exhibitions, commissions and performances of the UnSelfing programme.

Tracing TULCA’s trajectory from a nascent arts project to a key fixture in Ireland’s visual arts landscape, this must-read for anyone interested in Irish contemporary art and curatorial practice brings together new writing, recollections and documentation. Edited by Michaële Cutaya and designed by Pure Designs, XVIII - Stories of TULCA is a beautiful document of the first 18 years in the history of Ireland’s most dynamic visual arts festival. 

The publication consists of a series of new writing commissions, photo-essays and reflections from past curators, artists and board members.

Featuring contributions from: Aideen Barry, Austin Ivers, Clíodhna Shaffrey, Deirdre O’Mahony, Dominic Thorpe, Elisabeth von Samsonow, Gavin Murphy, George Bolster, Gregory McCartney, Helen Carey, Isadora Epstein, James Harrold, Josephine Vahey, Kerry Guinan, Linda Shevlin, Louise Manifold, Lucy Elvis, Marilyn Gaughan Reddan, Mary Cremin, Matt Packer, Megs Morley, Michael Dempsey, Michelle Browne, Sarah Browne, Sarah Searson, Susanna Galbraith, Valerie Connor, Áine Phillips.

Available to order now: www.tulca.ie/shop

Commissioned by TULCA Festival of Visual Arts and Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture.

IImage: Cover artwork by Nikolay Oleynikov, TULCA 2011. Photo: Tom Flanagan. Book design: Pure Designs