merrion street

Jimmy Deenihan TD Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht will tomorrow (Friday 05 October, 2012) officially open the new video installation by Tralee born artist, Austin DH Ivers 'On the beach' on Denny Street, Tralee Co. Kerry.

The event will take place in a 'pop up' gallery at 13- 14 Denny Street, for the duration of the Kerry Film Festival in Tralee. The event will be open daily throughout the Tralee section of the festival from 12-8pm (5th -13th October).

The Film festival opens with “Pilgrim Hill” highlighting Gerard Barrett’s success this year. Gerard was the winner of this year’s Bingham Ray New Talent Award at the Galway Film Fleadh.

This is an important homecoming solo exhibition for Austin, who is now based in Galway where he lectures in Fine Art at GMIT. Austin, also co-founded the 126 artist led gallery in Galway in 2004. "This was Ireland’s first voluntary, non-profit, artist-driven gallery and I am happy to know that it still thrives today" Minister Deenihan said.

The Video Installation consists of 3 short film pieces and looks at different ways of engaging with the moving image. This pop up gallery is a highly innovative and interesting way to display film works.

Speaking in advance of the official opening Minister Deenihan said "I am delighted to see that the 2012 Kerry Film Festival, which is now in its 13th year, is focusing largely on the wealth of filmmaking talent that hails from Co. Kerry. This video installation is a further demonstration of the wonderful talent that we have here in this county."

The Festival takes film to towns around the county. In addition to Tralee, there are events in Listowel, Killarney, Kenmare and Waterville. There will be an increased programme of short films made by Kerry filmmakers or by filmmakers from Kerry or working in Kerry. Short and feature length films are shown throughout the festival and there are events for all ages including a schools programme and specific events for older citizens.

Minister Deenihan also acknowledges the generosity of Phillip O’Sullivan owner of the building who provided the space free of charge and Daniel Gilles at DNG who assisted the festival in locating and securing the property.