Declan Clarke, The Museum of Broadcasting and Loneliness

'The Museum of Broadcasting and Loneliness' is a project initiated by Declan Clarke in 2020. It is comprised of a suite of short films that contextualise the intentions and concerns of the museum; display items from the former Museum of Broadcasting, and an award winning feature length film, 'Saturn and Beyond'.

Date
12 December 2024
Location
Aula AVU (main building) U Akademie 172/4, 170 00

The museum centres on the history of electronic communication, its development over the last century, and how this legacy manifests itself currently in an unsteady, evolving Europe. As Europeans continue to define nationhood within the confines of globalism, reflections between past and present are more significant than ever. This project considers an evolving relationship between humans and technology, a relationship that is both enhanced and disrupted through the limitations of communication and comprehension. The museum incorporates both historical artefacts and personal items, and presents a complex, layered story of transition and transmission.

Declan Clarke

Declan Clarke, born in Dublin in 1974, is an Irish artist and filmmaker whose work predominantly explores themes of modernity, conflict, and the human narratives underlying significant 20th-century historical events. He studied at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin and the Chelsea College of Arts in London. Over the past 15 years, Clarke has developed a substantial body of film work that reflects on everyday experiences, contrasting them with grand narratives and examining the historical structures of political power. His films often delve into post-revolution societies, using a personal perspective to unravel complex historical stories.

Clarke's work has been exhibited internationally, including at Tate Britain, HOME Manchester, and the Serpentine Gallery in London, MOCA Belgrade, Pierogi Leipzig, Pratt Institute New York, among many other places. Notable solo exhibitions include "The Museum of Broadcasting and Loneliness" at the Royal Hibernian Academy Galleries in Dublin (2023) and "The Last Broadcast" at the Galway Arts Centre (2022). In 2016, his film "Group Portrait with Explosives" won the Jury Prize at the 31st Biennale of Graphic Arts in Ljubljana, Slovenia. He has also been awarded residencies at institutions such as MoMA PS1 in New York and the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Declan Clarke engages with historical and political themes through his filmic practice, contributing significantly to contemporary art discourse.