Architecture At The Edge Festival in Galway

A Glimpse Into Salthill's Potential Future

The potential future look of Salthill has been captured in a perspective shifting art installation in Salthill Park by UrbanLab Galway as part of the Architecture at the Edge Festival.

Samhlú Salthill allows the viewer to look out to Galway Bay and to the well-known Leisureland complex and see how they might look in decades to come.

UrbanLab Galway, an initiative of University of Galway, has unveiled this perspective-shifting art installation in Salthill Park, as part of the Architecture at the Edge festival, which runs until October 6th. 

This year's festival offers a programme that presents new ideas, offers inspiration and allows for critical reflection on the relationship between the people and landscape of our islands and architecture. 

Augmented Reality, Physical Art and Digital Interaction

The Salthill installation combines with the UrbanLab App to take the experience further, allowing visitors to unlock additional layers of change through augmented reality.

Dr Patrick Collins, Director of UrbanLab Galway and lecturer in Geography at University of Galway, said: 

"The Samhlú Salthill installation is a combination of perspective and imagination. It uses anamorphic techniques to create stunning visual effects that change as viewers move around it.

“From one angle, you might see one potential future for Salthill. But as you shift your position, the image changes to reveal alternative future visions for the area. It's a powerful metaphor for the transformative power of community-driven urban planning.

“This anamorphic artwork isn't just a feast for the eyes; it's a catalyst for conversation. Thanks to the Urban Lab and our app, each image contains elements drawn from our ongoing public consultation, where we are asking people in Galway to identify locations and how they could be reimagined, redeveloped, enhanced, reopened.

“As people interact with the art, they're literally seeing their community's ideas take shape before their eyes."

A Strategic Location

Samhlú Salthill was strategically placed in Salthill Park, across from the well-known Leisureland complex, a space ripe for revitalisation.

The project is backed by Galway City Council, Science Foundation Ireland, and University of Galway and serves as both an artistic landmark and a focal point for community discussion.

Dr Collins explains: 

"Anyone who downloads the UrbanLab app can then use it and point their phone at the artwork, and watch as digital elements spring to life. We want people to share their reactions and ideas directly through the app. This fusion of physical art and digital interaction creates a truly unique public forum."

In Search of Hy-Brasil Exhibition

With many events taking place until the end of the festival on October 6th, the 'In Search of Hy-Brasil' exhibition on Market Street offers an immersive experience that shifts between the local and the territorial.

The installation, which is located at the Festival Printworks Gallery is the brainchild of a team of five architects; Peter Carroll, Peter Cody, Elizabeth Hatz, Mary Laheen and Joseph Mackey. 

Together, they want us to reimagine land and sea and the importance of our islands, which are robust, resilient and inventive places. 

For a day to day event guide and to find out all of the events that are on log on to Architecture At The Edge Festival