I had the great fortune and opportunity to tour the Assay’s Office of Ireland recently. The very gracious Ronald Le Bas took me around the labs, the hallmarking rooms, the library, the Master Warden’s Office and I got to view the private collection of master works the Assay’s Office has commissioned over the years. The collection includes works from Brian Clarke, Kevin O’Dwyer, and Aidan Breen among others. Ireland and the UK have mandatory testing and hallmarking, unlike the US, so it was interesting to be taken through the process.
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| Eily dancing outside Rathfarnham Castle |
On the culture scene: I enjoyed a wonderful dance performance in Temple Bar called Touch Me, which explored Irish society post-Celtic Tiger and in the wake of the economic recession. Also enjoyed several exhibition openings, among which was one called 21st Century Icons. Eily O’Connell had a great torc in the collection, so I went with her and her boyfriend, Ross, to Rathfarnham Castle to see it. (Rode a double-decker bus for the first time since being in Ireland this trip!)
In Project 51: The Collective celebrated Christmas early by heading out to a terrific dinner. Everyone went home stuffed and most, inebriated. I’m posting the promised image of my filigree hat embellishment. I’ve completed sketches for my body of work and have begun work at the bench once again. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
That is a lovely design Andrea! Sounds like you're having a great time! Learn a lot, and Happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteDonna