Things in translation is a specially commissioned exhibition for Drogheda Arts Festival where eight artists have been invited to produce new work using a former Franciscan library/archive, made mobile, as raw material or source.

The exhibition looks at the notion of translation through the materiality of the archive as both a conceptual and physical creative resource. Vivienne Byrne, Aoife Desmond, Danyel Ferrari, Jessica Foley, Helen Horgan, Aine ivers, Susan Macwilliam and Meadhbh o’Connor have explored the Library to produce work using drawing, photography, sculpture, audio and video installation, and performance, and reveal how creative uses of an archive can make visible the act of translation in process.

The LFTT Library is an interdisciplinary mobile archival project of the LFTT – the Legs Foundation for the translation of things and evolved from an artists’ residency at Multyfarnham Franciscan Friary (2009). The friary and library were undergoing massive structural changes and the artists Helen Horgan and Danyel Ferrari were offered the 4,000 volume collection, which ranges in subject matter from theology to religious and folk mysticism, poetry, literature, Irish folklore, the humanities, popular knowledge and the speculative sciences, as a gift.

4,000 volume collection, which ranges in subject matter from theology to religious and folk mysticism, poetry, literature, Irish folklore, the humanities, popular knowledge and the speculative sciences, as a gift. The Library has enjoyed many re-animations, and for Drogheda Arts Festival (2012) the Library was installed in the home of artist Vivienne Byrne. In autumn 2012, it became resident at Highlanes Gallery, itself a former Franciscan Church and place of learning. For curators Helen Horgan and Aoife ruane this was where the idea for this exhibition emerged. opening Gallery talk / Gather at the Gallery Friday 3 May 6.00pm Helen Horgan (IRL) and Danyel Ferrari (US) discuss the development of the library/ archive from their original two person ‘hermitage’ within the Franciscan Friary, to their work in the exhibition.

Drogheda Arts Festival/official opening Friday 3 May 7.00pm Joe Rooney, Actor and Comedian officially opens the 2013 Drogheda Arts Festival. Followed by musical performance by balladeers rapscallion. Look out for the full summer programme of events for things in translation.