Gerard Byrne 

28 July – 23 September 

Byrne's art practice utilises video and photography to question the ways in which images are constructed, transmitted and mediated. His work examines the modes and conventions of image-making and analyzes the mechanics of representation itself. Influenced by literature and theatre, Gerard Byrne's work consistently references a range of sources, from popular magazines of the recent past to iconic modernist playwrights and philosophers like Beckett, Brecht and Sartre.  

This show will feature video and photography installations not seen in Ireland previously. Among these is 1984 and Beyond, for which Byrne has used professional actors in a sophisticated restaging of a round-table conference with a number of well-known science fiction writers, originally published in Playboy magazine in 1963. The highly solution-oriented speculations on the near future are brought out in all their dated quaintness. Through his skilful presentation of this historical narrative Byrne presents new takes on the present. Other works on view will include the video installation Hommes à Femme (Michel Debrane) and the photography installation Points of View, which uses as its starting point the set of Waiting for Godot at the Gate theatre. The show at the Model will also mark the first exhibition of Points of View and the photographic work six months one week and six days ago, 2007 in Ireland. 

Another interesting aspect of this exhibition will be to present, for the first time, documentation of live art events or performances which the artist has conducted over the past number of years, including events at the Tate Triennial, London, the Museum Ludwig, Vienna, and the Lenbachhaus, Munich (all 2006). 

Gerard Byrne will discuss his practice in an open conversation with the Model’s Director Sarah Glennie at 4 pm on Saturday 28 July. The artist’s talk will be followed by an opening reception at 6 pm. The Model is also delighted to announce a special live music performance curated by Model Music fellow Chequerboard (aka John Lambert) at 9 pm on 28 July. 

Gerard Byrne runs until 23 September and curators’ tours of the show will take place at 1.30 pm on 8 August and 12 September. 

The exhibition will be accompanied by a major full colour publication The Present Tense through the Ages: on the recent work of Gerard Byrne with texts by Mark Godfrey, Lytle Shaw and Catherine Wood.