Artlog

Artlog is a project that aims to record the history of a residential artists centre by documenting the work that the artists carry out there. The Digital Media Centre (DMC) has worked in collaboration with the Library Central Services Unit of the DIT and the Tyrone Guthrie Centre on this project. Artlog has been funded by the Arts Council of Ireland.

Challenge

As a residential retreat for practicing artists, the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in County Monaghan has hosted the vast majority of art practitioners in Ireland over the past three decades. The objective of the project is to create a digital history of the Centre and the artists who visit. This resource should act as a working model for similar organisations interested in recording their data. The major challenge was to capture the creativity which thrives at the centre, rather than simply recording lists and names.

Result

Artists in residence can utilise a simple software program to archive their profiles and document any work created at the Centre. This information will then be organised and catalogued into a permanent record of artistic tradition that will be maintained as a scholarly resource for researchers. The software allows artists in all media to document the artistic process, creating a biography of their work. Artists are encouraged to maintain and preserve their personal archives.

Initially, the individual artist’s profile is developed to provide a short biography along with any relevant awards, completed works, exhibitions and other pertinent information. This can be amended throughout the artist’s stay, but, at the end of their retreat, this information is locked down until their next visit.

The Entries section is akin to an online diary where the artists can reflect on the artistic process. This section also includes a facility to attach further material such as images related to their work.

The Artlog project has simultaneously provided an online channel to deliver an impressive database of living Irish and overseas artists. It has also streamlined the Centre’s application process.