Hunt Museum Inspires Climate Action Through New Exhibition
Night’s Candles are Burnt Out: Climate, Culture, Change & Community
Runs until 29 February 2024 with full programme of activities
25 September 2023, Limerick, Ireland – “Night’s Candles are Burnt Out” is the latest interactive and experiential exhibition to open at the Hunt Museum. This transformative exhibition hopes to spark conversations and inspire action regarding the pressing issue of Climate Change, drawing inspiration from Ireland’s history of positive change, exemplified by the development of the Shannon Hydroelectric Scheme in Ardnacrusha in 1929, and Sean Keating’s allegory Night’s Candles Are Burnt Out (on semi-permanent loan to the Hunt Museum), which chronicles Ireland’s transformation into a modern economy.
“Night’s Candles are Burnt Out” invites visitors to explore how Ireland can embrace its pioneering history and lead the way in addressing the Climate Challenge, by harnessing the immense renewable energy potential of the Shannon Estuary, particularly through wind and water.
Through art, technology, and storytelling, “Night’s Candles are Burnt Out” offers local communities and the public at large an opportunity to engage with the positive possibilities of change, fostering hope and motivating individuals to consider how they can contribute to sustainable solutions.
As we anticipate the supply of Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy through the Shannon Estuary by 2030, the exhibition emphasises the need for communities to recognise the intrinsic value of positive change and support the necessary interim disruptions, such as road construction and services which will feel counter intuitive, much like the creation of Ardnacrusha and the Shannon Hydro-Electric Scheme did in the 1920’s.
Jill Cousins, Director, The Hunt Museum, said, “The Hunt Museum’s role in Climate Action is to serve as a creative and educational hub and a conduit to meaningful change. We’re bringing our community and partners together to curate an interactive exhibition that encourages conversation and action on the Climate Crisis. Through the transformative power of art and culture, we can ignite behavioural change by establishing emotional connections that will hopefully lead to a better understanding of the science and technology that can move us from our reliance on non-renewable energy to a sustainable future. Our goal is to encourage buy-in for future possibilities while encouraging more environmentally friendly lifestyles and practices in the present.”
This exhibition’s overarching message is one of optimism, emphasizing the importance of translating technological advancements into meaningful, real-world progress.
It is supported by a number of key partners including ESB, Western Star Alliance of Simply Blue and EDF Renewables, ESB Archives, GKinetic, Shannon Airport Group, CityXchange Project, Mary Immaculate College and Shannon Foynes Port. It has a received a Regional Museum’s Grant from the Department of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Gaeltacht, Media & Sport as the exhibition sets out Ireland’s role in Europe’s green energy transformation and demonstrates the technologies that can produce such renewable energy. It is also supported by Failte Ireland as the exhibition enhances Limerick’s offering as a Wild Atlantic Way Gateway City and build’s on Limerick’s growing portfolio of unique visitor experiences.
More about the exhibition
The exhibition is co-created by companies involved in alternative energy supply and technology, local communities and contemporary artists interpreting the science and facts, translating the fears and aspirations.
As a creative immersive experience, visitors are brought through a series of installations starting with a flywheel and wind turbine in the courtyard. Visitors are then brought on a journey from 100 years ago to now, looking at Pre-electrification Ireland, the Electrical Revolution, Consumerism and The Tipping Point. This is followed by a phase of reflection. An art installation by Niamh Schmidtke helps us reflect on what it takes to create green energy and asks what is the impact of sustainable energy? The final phase of the experience focuses on the technology-led solutions at our disposal and the people power solutions. As visitors leave, they will have an opportunity to contribute to a Climate Community Action Mural – a city-wide art installation capturing their thoughts on all aspects of the climate crisis.
Over the coming months, The Hunt Museum will have lots of events and activities to support the exhibition including: Family workshops, Podcasts by experts and artists along with lectures and talks.
Opening Dates/Times/Tickets:
Tickets just €12.50 for adults, kids go free. Book on https://www.huntmuseum.com/visit/book-tickets/
Running from 22 September – 29 February 2024
The Museum opens Tuesday to Saturday: 10am – 5pm and on Sunday: 11am – 5pm
PRESS RELEASE C/O GORE COMMUNICATIONS
