‘Free Market’ is an architecture exhibition and free programme of events exploring the importance of Ireland’s small town market squares. This summer ‘Free Market’ will travel to four towns across Ireland, collecting and sharing ideas as we travel.
‘Free Market’ is an architecture exhibition and free programme of events exploring the importance of Ireland’s small town market squares. This summer ‘Free Market’ will travel to four towns across Ireland, collecting and sharing ideas as we travel.
You are invited to take part in walking tours, a scavenger hunt, vox pop recordings, discussions and public lectures and take home a copy of our newspaper, ‘Free Market News’. The exhibition includes architectural models, drawings, maps, photographs and sound recordings. Free Market, was Ireland’s national representation at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia, in 2018. The exhibition won widespread acclaim for its exploration of the unique identity of Irish rural towns. Now this ambitious exhibition travels to four towns in Ireland.
For generations, small town market places played a vital role in the life of rural communities. The market square was an economic and social hub. Today many of Ireland’s market squares are used for car parking and their role as a place for exchange and congregation is diminished. How we shop has changed. But it is still vital that our towns have beautiful public spaces to host social, political and cultural exchange, community debate, banter and incidental interactions.
‘The aim of the exhibition is to provoke conversation and ideas about the future of towns and to listen and collect information, thoughts, ideas and dreams for towns as we tour’
‘Exploring the past, present and future of Irish market towns, the exhibition is fresh in its approach, accessible in its display and compassionate in its outlook’
‘Having begun the conversation about rural towns in Venice last year, we are looking forward to continuing the discussion about the challenges facing rural towns on the ground during the National Tour’
The Free Market team has proposed a very relevant exhibition on the common space of market towns in Ireland. As we know, these spaces are hugely important for rural communities in our country, and for economic and social engagement in our towns.