PADRAIG MacKernan, secretary to the Department of Foreign Affairs, saw a very different side of Venice to the one artists Jaki Irvine and Alistair MacLennan will. At a party in Iveagh House to celebrate their participation in this year's Biennale international art showcase in that city, MacKernan admitted the confusions of the Venice Declaration in 1980 meant any time not spent in his office was spent in Harry's Bar, or recovering from hangovers.
Before the speeches, many Irish artists and artfollowers chatted: Prof George Dawson with Dorothy Walker; David God bold with Dorothy Cross. Cross, who is a Glen Dimplex award finalist, was a previous Venice Biennale exhibitor and is looking forward to a jaunt to the Istanbul for the Biennale there in October.
Fellow Glen Dimplex finalist Maurice O'Connell came along, as well as Rubicon Gallery director Josephine Kelleher and Cothu director Gerry Watson. Peter Murray came from Cork's Crawford Gallery; Paul O'Reilly arrived from the City Art Gallery in Limerick; artist Anne Tallentire, who wrote the Biennale, catalogue essay, came over from London, as did artist Cecily Brennan, who chaired the selection panel.
There was a big Project showing as well: director Fiach Mac Conghail, was the commissioner for Ireland's participation in the Biennale and came with Madeline Bougliton. Paula Meehan also took time out from the final preparations of her play, Mrs Sweeney, which opened at Project at The Mint on Wednesday (more of which anon), to make a fleeting appearance.
Vivienne Roche, newly appointed chairwoman of the Arts Council visual arts committee, whose little daughter snoozed picturesquely through Mac Conghail's speech was most enthusiastic about both her new position and the Biennale.
Circa editor, Tanya Kiang; IMMA director, Declan McGonagle and Hugh Lane director Barbara Dawson made up the arty throng.