Two Minds

The Two Minds Project initated, by The Royal Society of Ulster Architects and Arts & Business, seeks to promote the potential of a series of artist / architect colla- borations to explore the synergy and outcomes from a creative dialogue through collaborate practice on selected projects.

About Two Minds

The Two Minds project is an ambitious art and architecture collaboration exploring the synergy and outcomes from creative dialogue. Involving ten of the region's leading Architects' Practices teamed with ten individual artists from Ireland: North and South, and abroad for a 6 month period.

“Interest and activity in the field of collaborative practice between artists and architects is growing rapidly” as Jes Fernie says in her recent book “Two Minds” on the subject of collaboration. However, rather than being brought into fill the blank walls or spaces of buildings, conversations regarding aesthetic, spatial and conceptual uses related to buildings are now happening as well as to the public realm, as promoted by the Arts Council in the ‘Urban Alchemy' Conference in the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.

Local examples like Laganside Corporation's enhancements of the river public realm together with the integration of art into buildings such as the Mater Hospital and the New Bar Library show interest in continuing this debate. It is hoped that the outcome will form an interesting exhibition and debate whilst furthering the collaboration concept.

Two Minds was launched on 16 th February and Guest of Honour was Trevor Leaker, President of RSUA. Commending the organisers of Two Minds and RSUA Events Convenor John Reid as instigator, Trevor Leaker, described Two Minds as “an initiative that perfectly illustrates the intentions and potential of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects as an agency of advocacy and collaboration.”

The Project Manager is Marianne O'Kane Boal MA who brings years of experience to the initiative. O'Kane Boal has been actively involved in arts and architecture in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland for the past seven years and has worked as a curator, researcher, consultant, interviewer, critic, advisor, and lecturer. She writes regularly for Circa, Perspective, Irish Arts Review, Living Design and the Buyers Guide to Irish Art. She has curated over forty exhibitions and is on the Editorial Committee of Perspective.