Inaugural Event at TU Dublin’s Grangegorman Campus Celebrates the Unveiling of THE GOLDEN BANDSTAND – Sculpture
Pupils from Paul’s Third Class in Dublin 7 Educate Together National School celebrate the inaugural concert of ‘THE GOLDEN BANDSTAND Sculpture’ – a unique functional sculpture by renowned artist Garrett Phelan on TU Dublin’s Campus in Grangegorman.
TU Dublin and the Grangegorman Development Agency are thrilled to announce the inauguration of ‘THE GOLDEN BANDSTAND Sculpture’ – a unique functional sculpture by renowned artist Garrett Phelan. The sculpture is set to become a central point for community interaction and cultural activities on the Grangegorman campus in Dublin 7. The major visual art commission, part of ‘…the lives we live’ Grangegorman Public Art, aims to leave a lasting legacy for the Grangegorman site, reflecting the vibrant community and its evolving story.
‘THE GOLDEN BANDSTAND – Sculpture’ is more than just a sculpture; it is a dynamic and interactive space where, as artist Garrett Phelan describes, "all communities from the area will meet, dance, chat, sing, think, kiss, look, and listen." Influenced by the 19th-century Medical Superintendent Dr. Joseph Lalor, who believed in the therapeutic power of creativity and beauty, this bandstand aims to foster emotional well-being through artistic engagement.
Speaking at the grand unveiling, Professor John Doran, Interim President of TU Dublin, said. “THE GOLDEN BANDSTAND – Sculpture’ is a wonderful addition to TU Dublin’s Grangegorman campus that complements our existing theatre and concert hall and marks out our campus as a leading cultural and creative hub in Dublin City. It will provide our students, staff, and the wider community with an inspiring new place for creative expression. We are thrilled to host this work of art.”
Artist Garrett Phelan welcomed this inaugural event in the new sculpture, stating: “ ‘THE GOLDEN BANDSTAND – Sculpture’ connects the transformation of the Grangegorman site as a centre for new models for creative education and community activity. I have created the sculpture to respectfully acknowledge the past, fully embrace the present and act as a positive contemporary work of art for creative engagement and collective escapism into the future for everyone.”
Speaking at the event, Prof. Ciarán Benson, former Chair of the Grangegorman Public Art Working Group and part of the selection panel for this artwork said: “For an age, Grangegorman was a place of darkness in Dublin's heartland. Now, with Garrett Phelan's newly inaugurated THE GOLDEN BANDSTAND – Sculpture’, there is a glowing heart beating in the core of the ambitious new Grangegorman campus. Good public art can work wonders in enlivening a place and releasing new meanings and options for feeling. 'The Golden Bandstand - Sculpture' will do just this for Grangegorman and its constituent communities. The growing presence of singular public art in Ireland can now add this distinguished and ambitious work to the other fine works on the campus. This is confirmation of the value of the soon-to-be-expanded national Per Cent for Art Scheme advancing public art in Ireland.”
For those interested in booking events or performances at ‘THE GOLDEN BANDSTAND – Sculpture’, please contact eventenquiries@tudublin.ie