Public art piece on Parkgate Street, Dublin 8, 2-9 November 2008

The temporary installation was created for the Folka Polka exhibition held in Thisisnotashop and is an exploration into Swedish Folk Art and the innate human need to decorate and beautify our close surroundings. With the kind support of ESB Networks Forsgren was able to reclaim and bring attention to this overlooked listed ESB substation situated on Parkgate Street. The building used for the project is an active medium voltage distribution station, carrying low voltage supply to the surrounding area. It was built circa 1905 by the Electricity Department of Dublin Corporation and was then passed to the Electricity Supply Board in 1927, when the ESB was founded to take over the generation and distribution of electricity for the whole of Ireland. Forsgren was attracted to the building for its architecture, location and the fact that it is a still functioning substation.

Through this exploration the artist aspires to reconnect with her Swedish heritage. The work focuses the attention onto the overlooked building as well as the discarded or devalued materials that surround us, as Veronica is fascinated by their history, perceived value and the implications of using them. By investigating Folk Art and the close links to Street Art and Graffiti the study has turned into a vehicle that allows the artist to explore and make an impact on public space. Leaving an imprint on public space is a record of existence and a method for placing oneself in society.

A special thanks to Pat Usher and Jimmy Doyle from ESB Networks for their kind support and helpful insights.

The project was covered in the EM - ESB Magazine December 2008. To read the article click here>>