top of page

Undergraduate Dissertation 2021

Reflection on Collection The Role of Archiving in Ireland’s Folklore & Mythology 

This dissertation explores the history and role of archiving in relation to Ireland’s folklore and mythology, while asking: can new forms of exhibiting, communication and technology open up the archives to generate new forms of creativity particularly in the area of visual arts? Contemplating the development of ‘archiving’ electronic documents (emails, digital images, etc.) and the vast progress in technology with the arrival of laptops, handheld devices and WIFI, this dissertation investigates how these shifts have changed the status of the archive in our daily lives. Has the perception of archives, once envisioned as dark dusty rooms filled with stacks of old documents, been altered? At a time when we both crave and feel overwhelmed by information, the archive now seems like a more authoritative, or somewhat authentic, reliable, source of information, containing objects bearing more value and meaning.

 

Considering artists who employ folklore, mythology and archives within their work, such as Alice Maher, Fred Wilson, Daniel Gordon and Mark Leckey, I aim to decipher whether new forms of exhibiting, communication, technology and dissemination can open up the archives and cast new light on collections and possibly contribute to new forms of creativity. Do collection-centered archives inhibit rather than enhance imaginative modes of inquiry or do these collections and the institutions which house them, act as a storehouse or a treasure trove of archives and a catalyst for artists working within visual archival art? 

​

​

Library.jpeg
Irish landscape.gif

Critical Culture Research Essay 2020

The Art of Participation - The relationship between gallery, artist and the public.

This research essay examines the group exhibition entitled Selections ‘94 ‘Installations’, organised and exhibited by The Drawing Center located in Soho, New York during the autumn of 1994, as a means of gaining a greater understanding of the unique, ever changing relationship between gallery, artist and the viewer. Did this exhibition open up new and exciting ways of creating and exhibiting artwork, where spectators were no longer just viewers, or outside the work, but carefully monitored and prepped attendees who became engaged with a socially didactic pedagogy? 

 

Through exploration of the exhibition according to two specific areas: The organisation and its’ history, and the artists and the artworks themselves, this essay aims to convey how these elements contributed to creating an exhibition which was not considered to follow the conventional modes of exhibition-making at that period of time. The exhibition featured four relatively new and emerging artists at the time, comprising of works from Brad Brown, Jeff Beall, Larry Krone and Kara Walker. This research essay delves into the work displayed by Kara Walker within the show, the only female artist featured in the exhibition, to demonstrate how her work and the way in which it was curated broke barriers within the institution of the Drawing centre as well as what was conventionally considered drawing.

 

​

​

the drawing center.jpeg
Kara walker.jpeg
  • Instagram

Sociology Research Paper 2019

Understanding & overcoming the Digital Divide

The digital divide in its most simple definition, is a term that has been used to
describe the gap between those who have access to technology and those
who do not, between those who have been educated and trained to utilise this
technology and those who have not. This research paper sets out to gain a better understanding of the digital divide and the
factors which contribute to the widening of it. This paper looks at the importance of information communication technology (ICT) in the classroom and its’ contribution to the personal empowerment and educational growth of students.

 

Within two decades we have seen the introduction of computers, tablets, interactive whiteboards, high speed broadband and other forms of information communication technologies (ICT) to Irish classrooms throughout the country, in both urban and rural areas. Yet, if more individuals than ever have access to ICTs and the internet, why is the digital divide persisting? Given the widespread access to technology, this paper explores the transition beyond the first-level of the digital divide to the second and third-level digital divide and what factors are contributing to the second and third divides.

Digital divide.jpeg
ICT classroom.jpeg

Undergraduate Dissertation 2013

Soundtrack Significance 

This dissertation deals with the evolution of music in film, since its introduction to silent movies in the late 19th century,  to its continued use throughout the 20th century, and now in modern day cinema. It explores the important role which popular, pre-existing music plays in contemporary cinema and examines how it has become as significant as the visual image and dialogue within film.

​

Classical film music holds great importance in cinema but the intent of this dissertation is to focus on the use of popular pre-exiting music and how it provides a cultural framework which allows the audience to connect with the narrative. It provides a network of linked allusions between the cinematic world and the music world, often resulting in a soundtrack that is more culturally relevant. Why does music have such an emotional impact on the audience, and does the use of "pop" music drive the narrative of a film, allowing the audience to gain a greater insight of characters?

​

Through the exploration of the cinematic works of Wes Anderson, this dissertation examines the power which popular, pre-existing music possesses to create and amplify the narrative of a film, define characters, as well as creating an emotional connection between the film and its audience.

​

Soundtrack significance.gif
Soundtrack significance.jpeg

Irish Undergraduate Dissertation 2013

Craoladh na Gaeilge - An aimse caite, láthair agus todhchaí

Beidh iniúchadh a dhéanamh sa tráchtas seo ar stair agus féiniúlacht craoltóireachta Gaeilge agus tá sé mar aidhm an cheist a fhreagairt, an bhfuil go leor ama dírithe ar an nGaeilge ar an teilifís agus raidió agus muna bhfuil, cén fáth. Chun an cheist seo a fhreagairt, caithedh iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar stair craoladh na Gaeilge. Tá an Ghaeilge a craoladh ar an raidió agus teilifíse do seachtó cúig bliain anuas. Bhí an raidió an t-aon mheán craolacháin a bhí ar fáil don chéad leath den tréimhse sin. I 1962, thosaigh craolacháin teilifíse agus d'oscail sé suas saol nua na féidearthachtaí don Ghaeilge. Ó thús craolacháin teilifíse, tagtha chun cinn RTÉ, Network 2, TG4, TV3 Raidió na Gaeltachta, 2FM agus teilifíse satailíte agus teilifíse digití. Chomh maith leis na stáisiúin seo, d'athraigh an t-idirlíon an tslí a bhíonn muid ag féachaint ar an teilifís agus ag éisteacht leis an raidió.

​

Baineann an meáin mais, mar shampla an teilifís agus raidió, leis an réimse poiblí. Is meán é inar féidir saoránagh teacht le chéile agus ábhair thábhachtacha a phlé. Tá ról antábhachtach ag an mais meáin sa réimse poiblí, mar tugann TG4 ardán do chainteoirí Ghaeilge agus Béarla. Cé go bhfuil líon mór de chláir Béarla á thaispeáint ar TG4 anois, fós is stáisiún Gaeilge é, áit inar féidir le cainteoirí Gaeilge leasa comónta agus saincheisteanna a iniúchadh agus a phlé. Chun an cheist 'an bhfuil go leor ama dírithe ar an nGaeilge ar an teilifís agus raidió?' in Éirinn na linne a fhreagairt, caithfimid taighde i stair craoladh na Gaeilge a bheith againn.

RTE archives.jpeg
Irish broadcasting.jpeg

Have Questions? Let's chat

Thanks for submitting!

Kate Power
Smithfield
Dublin 7

Screenshot 2022-06-28 at 16.48.32.png
  • Instagram
bottom of page