Thanks to everyone who came to the Symposium at the Canis Major of the Clarion on Saturday last and joined in to the lively discussion with the speakers afterward. We have some great footage of the Symposium which we’ll get up online in the coming months.

Organised by The Model, this international symposium entitled Religious Challenges, Challenging Religions – tackled the subject of religion and its currencies and was created on the occasion of the Medium Religionexhibition at the Model Satellite- currently on display until mid August.

Speaking to a curious, local crowd were Felix O’Murchadha, lecturer in philosophy, NUIG, Galway; William Blair, Head of North Antrim Museums; Professor Knoblauch, Berlin University; and Seamus Kealy, Director of The Model, who presented a paper by Iranian artist Barbad Golshiri, in his absence due to the ongoing protests and political unrest in Iran – see Barbad’s message here

The subjects discussed ranged from the decline and subsequent rise of spirituality in society, issues around exhibitions and religion, philosophical approaches to religion today, and a elegiac and timely account of religion and politics in Iran, how they cross over with art and propaganda, and how the recent turmoil in Iran ties into this as well.

Anna Nolan at Saturday’s Symposium