Free Market

Free Market, the Irish National Pavilion at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition La Bienale di Venezia 2018 won widespread acclaim for its exploration of the unique identity of Irish rural towns when it showed in Venice in 2018. Now this ambitious exhibition will travel to four towns in Ireland.

‘Free Market’ is an architecture exhibition and ongoing research project that explores the importance and possible future of small market towns in Ireland. This summer ‘Free Market’ will visit four towns across Ireland, organising public events, collecting stories and sharing ideas as we travel.

Why this matters

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.

What to expect

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.

‘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’

FREE MARKET EXHIBITION CURATORS

‘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’

GEORGE KAFKA, TOP 10 PAVILIONS, METROPOLIS

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.

Minister Heather Humphreys

Photo: Paul Tierney

Newspaper

Free Market News is a free tabloid format newspaper that accompanies the exhibition. With almost 40 short articles and contributions from leading Irish and international architectural historians, researchers, geographers, poets, writers and thinkers, it aims to capture a snapshot of thinking around the subject of rural towns today. Selected articles include the following: