Event Details
'XX1 Century Goddess', by Ana Zlatkes & Mirta Zak. (Photo: Ana Zlatkes) |
| Exhibition and associated activities: | Women 31: 31 textile stories and associated activities celebrating International Women |
| Description: | In 2014, the Verbal Arts Centre, in collaboration with the Tower Museum and Voluntary Arts Ireland, celebrated International Women’s day through Women 31. This initiative, comprised of 31 textile stories and actions has its origins in the permanent-rotating exhibition of story textiles in VAC which commenced in 2008. Women 31 marks the thirty first such exhibition.
Connecting the local and global is a central theme of this initiative. Arpilleras, quilts and wall hangings from Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Chile, Peru, Argentina and Zimbabwe, stitched by women working individually or collectively, highlight a range of issues: the environment, unemployment, displacement, disappearance, human rights abuses, domestic violence and survival. Such issues, though different in scale, have resonance in all corners of the globe.
A spotlight on Mabel Colhoun, an Installation of objects from the Mabel Colhoun Collection at the Tower Museum offers us an insight into the life of a local woman who made a significant contribution to archaeology in the North West.
"Wool Against Weapons" knitting sessions in the Verbal Arts Centre offers an opportunity to knit a small square, 15 of which make up a baby blanket, contributing to a seven mile scarf, the purpose of which is to highlight the weapons industry, our increasingly militarised societies and the proliferation of nuclear weapons. At the end of the campaign, Saturday 9th August 2014 to mark Nagasaki Day, the baby blankets that make up the long denouncing scarf will be donated to refugee camps to be used by displaced mothers from war torn countries.
Reading room sessions in the verbal arts centre and other locations, focusing on themes related to International Women’s day, provide a space to read, discuss, reflect and pause in our journey onward from International Women’s day.
Other info:
Guided tours by Roberta Bacic will take place 11.00 - 12.00 noon and 2.00 - 3.00 pm on Saturday March 8th, commencing at the Verbal Arts Centre and proceeding to the Tower Museum. Guided tours will also take place on Tuesday March 11th and March 18th, times to be agreed by request.
Morning and afternoon knitting sessions (led by Caroline Kuyper) and reading room sessions will also take place in the Verbal Arts Centre on March 8th. For the duration of the exhibition, reading room sessions (with closed groups), focusing on themes relating to International Women’s day, will take place in a number of venues throughout Derry/Londonderry.
For more information contact Sinead McLaughlin,
Administrative Officer
Verbal Arts Centre
sinead.mclaughlin@theverbal.co
Contact details for the Tower museum: Bernadette Walsh
Archivist
Heritage & Museum Service, Derry City Council bernadette.walsh@derrycity.gov.uk
Web links:
Verbal Arts Centre
YouTube Video (4:19) of the opening event, (7 March 2014).
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| Commissioned by: | Verbal Arts Centre |
| Date(s): | 7th March 2014 - 15th April 2014 |
| Venue: | Verbal Arts Centre, Derry / Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Verbal Arts Centre, Stable lane and Mall Wall, Bishop Street Within, Derry/Londonderry; Tower Museum, Union Hall Place, Derry/Londonderry |
| Curator: | Roberta Bacic assisted by Breege Doherty |
| Facilitator: | Verbal Arts Centre in collaboration with Tower Museum |
| Outcome: | Excellent level of engagement and attendance at launch and associated activities. |
| Documents: |
• Launch invitation - Women 31 - view
• Women 31 - IWD programme 2014 - view
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