of ephemeral measure
At the core of ephemeral measure is a set of digital wild-sensing cameras, initially installed at seven and extended to thirteen different outdoor locations across Co. Kildare and Finland (in 2023). Among other outcomes, the project to date has established the first phenological network–artist-led or otherwise–in Co. Kildare, and the artist has hosted a number of on-site ‘walkshops’ across the county. Sites under observation include agricultural sites, research bogs, forest plantation, a wooded carpark, a garden, a river edge and a previously monitored Phenological Garden which was studied by Ireland's National Phenology Network as part of the EPA's Climate Change Research Programme (2007-2013).
More information can be found on the dedicated project website here.
EVENT: Glitch, Err & Blur: Navigating Sites of Messy Production
One Day Walking Event 10am - 5pm 29th July 2023
Event: Glitch, Err & Blur: Navigating Sites of Messy Production was a walking event which traversed many of of ephemeral measure project network sites across the county. In conjunction with interesting walks, participants were treated to artist readings, film screenings and engaged in lively discussions with ecological experts, amongst others, throughout the day.
of ephemeral measure: Volume 1
‘Volume 1’ was created and published on the occasion of of ephemeral measure’s first milestone. The images and essays within the book explore sensors as image-makers, the durational and off-grid aspects to the project, how the continual capturing of images can contribute to understanding ecologies and climate change, and O’Brien’s decisions around steering clear of directly engaging big data centres in the work.
Publication contributors included Martina O’Brien, artist Sean Lynch, and Dr. Alison Donnelly, Associate Professor of Geography at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The publication and project is kindly supported by Creative Ireland through Kildare County Council Arts Service.
Event: publication launch, discussion and presentation of new visual materials.
28th November 2022
Dublin Art Book Fair 2022: A Caring Matter
Temple Bar Gallery + Studios
Studio 6
Event:
This event celebrated a pivotal one-year point of of ephemeral measure: a long-term project based in Co. Kildare rooted in image making, phenology, and the activation of communities. As part of the event, new work arising from the project was installed and a group discussion marked the launch of ‘Volume 1’, the first publication of of ephemeral measure.
Discussion:
As part of this publication launch there was an in-person discussion with the artist and guests Eamonn Maxwell Independent Curator and Advisor, Belinda Quirke, Artistic Director Solstice Arts Centre, Kate Lewis Hood of Planetary Praxis Research Group in the UK, and Lucina Russell, Kildare County Council Arts Officer. This discussion touched the wider concerns of of ephemeral measure, other ecosystems’ monitoring projects, and how the project is developing heading into its second year.
Transcript Link: Network glitches & forest walks: a remote-sensed response to Martina O’Brien’s of ephemeral measure, Kate Lewis Hood, Research Associate, Smart Forests. This response was delivered virtually at the of ephemeral measure: volume I publication launch at the Dublin Art Book Fair at Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin, on 28 November 2022.
Kindly supported by a Creative Ireland Bursary Award (2021/22) through Kildare County Council Arts Service.