It has been quite a busy week at The Model with the arrival of artists from Canada, Iceland and parts of Ireland to participate in the nomadic art school Reverse Pedagogy. The project will culminate in a visual art exhibition opening at The Model Satellite on Friday 25th September.
For their time in Sligo, the group of artists are occupying the Model Satellite space on Castle Street and will be submerging themselves and responding to local culture, including a tag rugby game with local team The Supermodels this evening, surf lessons in Strandhill, mountain climbs, and informal meetings with local arts and cultural groups

Reverse Pedagogy was previously produced at the Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada and at the 2009 Venice Biennale. The project evolved out of Canadian artist Paul Butler’s organisation of collective “Collage Parties,” where he, up to twenty other artists, and the general public produce artwork over a weeklong collaborative gathering.

Earlier this afternoon, the artists met with The Model staff and we heard from Paul about the ethos behind the project, and how it evolved from the idea of his “Collage Parties”. Irish artist Mark Garry also described his association with the project and noted the Irish group of artists he works with, ‘The Mongral Foundation’, which is based on similar ideas to Reverse Pedagogy.

Earlier in the week artist Katie Bethune-Leaman from Toronto, Canada described her anticipation of her trip to Sligo:

“All I know of Ireland is what I learned from the 1959 cinematic masterpiece ‘Darby O’Gill and the Little People’. I am excited to have my knowledge radically expanded, make lots of art, and try Atlantic surfing.”

So, all in all, quite an exciting few weeks is in store for the artists in Sligo. This evening the Reverse Pedagogy artists will meet local based tag team The Supermodels in Kevinsfort pitch, Carrowmore Road, Sligo at 6.30pm, and everyone is invited to watch. The Supermodels have agreed

Reverse Pedagogy opens on Friday 25th September at The Model Satellite for a wine and cheese reception in association with Culture Night Sligo, 7pm till late. All are most welcome.