Recently, we uncovered a virtual midden, a repository of debris tied to the insatiable greed of resource extraction. From this chaotic pile of scandal and exploitation, we propose an excavation.
These artefacts are alluring, their superficial appeal catching the eye as they glisten within the sediment of the past. They speak volumes about humanity’s behaviour—our insatiable desire to exploit, extract, consume, and discard. Through this exhibition, we will reflect on these patterns of destruction and the undeniable truths they leave behind.
MIDDEN collective are Sarah Edmondson, Mary Martin and Niamh McGuinne – who together focus on the interpretation of evidence, creating decidedly unscientific work combining fact with fiction to create new narratives.
The objects that caught my eye included: a pile of crumbling mica, some silver scales and a heap of seaweed, glistening in the low tide. The theme of this collection of works addresses ideas of waste, over-exploitation and greed. Individually they appear disparate but on closer inspection there are links and connections binding them together.
Mica refers to a group of 37 naturally occurring silicate minerals which are mainly used in electronics, construction, cosmetics and car manufacturing due to their heat resistence, insulating and reflective properties. It is used in the plastics industry as it is so lightweight and has sound absorption properties. It is a familiar additive in pearlescent paints, coatings and cosmetics. It improves corrosion resistance and durability of industrial components and equipment. Its ability to withstand electric currents makes it useful in electronic transformers, semiconductors and circuit boards in addition to household items such as heaters and his dryers. It is added to lubricants and in the car industry it can be found in brake linings, rubber components, and is increasingly useful in electrical battery packs and electric vehicles. Most mica is mined and extracted from India and Madagascar, followed by Brazil, USA, Malaysia and its mining is spreading throughout the African continent due to the increase in demand. It is commonly associated with poor communities lacking education and healthcare, unregulated conditions and child labour and illegal mining with workers only earning a tiny percentage of its worth – well below a living wage.
In Reliquary, I am looking at the local mica housing crisis, where in an effort to save money, mica was added to the concrete aggregate in the form of an extender. It was unregulated and under-researched – its propensity to absorb water caused damage in freeze thaw cycles leading to widespread destruction. The defective concrete has been described as crumbling and Weetabix-like in texture.
A reliquary is a vessel created to protect something sacred – and as is custom, it is an object of great value both materially and conceptually. This reliquary holds the memory of this failing at the hands of an insatiable greed for resource extraction, a decision to cut corners in the process (to increase the profit margin) – and an example of unethical extraction compounded by questionable source locations and labour practices. This memory has a value.
These artefacts are alluring, their superficial appeal catching the eye as they glisten within the sediment of the past. They speak volumes about humanity’s behaviour—our insatiable desire to exploit, extract, consume, and discard.
In Nite Klub Parasite, all that was left of a vibrant club scene are a few silver scales, vestiges of a disco ball perhaps or something more sinister. Ireland’s nightclub industry continues to face a major decline, with only 83 clubs still operating nationwide, down 83% since 2000. Many of these clubs are now boutique hotels and suppliers of fine goods. Campaign group Give Us The Night highlight exorbitant costs, strict licensing laws, and early closing times as contributing factors. Dublin’s 2:30 AM closing time is the earliest in the EU with 6:30 AM the average in other capital cities and the Special Exemption Order (SEO) required to operate costs €21,320, plus legal fees, per year.
Smaller clubs and regional venues are less able to absorb these legal fees, staffing costs, insurance, and rising energy bills. There has been a suggestion to freeze VAT on dance/music events, to relaunch the 2023 Noise Mitigation Grant Scheme and to increase early Sunday morning bus availability and bike parking.
In the meantime, these restrictions are acting like a parasite on the sector, slowly draining the life from Ireland’s nightlife economy. Piecing the scales together with artistic licence, I have reconstructed a larger than life imaginary parasite that in the form of rising rents, insurance, and overheads, slowly sucked the life out of the sector.
Through this exhibition, we will reflect on these patterns of destruction and the undeniable truths they leave behind. Arramara Teoranta, owned by Canadian multinational Acadian Seaplants, has renewed applications for large-scale seaweed harvesting rights along parts of the Galway coast. Now compared to oil or gold, seaweed is considered valuable for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, animal feed and other industries. Particularly important are species like kelp and ascophyllum nodosum (feamainn bhuí), which are used in alginate extraction and agricultural products. The controversy is about ownership, environmental impact, and whether Gaeltacht communities should keep control over marine resources that have supported them for generations. Bounty reminds us of the value that should be placed on the natural resource, rather than the financial sell-out for short term gain. The fact that this proposal continues to surface shows a belief that a community can be worn down by wealthy global entities supported by the indifference and greed from particularly non-local government agencies that encourages their campaign.
A collaborative piece There’s Millions in it, references often misquoted (There’s Gold in them that hills) Mark Twain’s 1892 ‘The American Claimant’. The hills in this case are Tyrone’s Sperrin Mountains, where Canadian company Dalradian Gold wants to mine in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The mining firm has been working on the Curraghinalt site near Greencastle since 2009 and has applied to develop an underground gold mine. The public inquiry is ongoing, this being the third time a hearing has been convened.
