Images – Bassam Al-Sabah, Mark Leckey, Eleanor McCaughey, Cyprien Gaillard, Jesse Jones

TULCA 2018: Syntonic State curated by Linda Shevlin | 2-18 November
Syntonic State is the title of the 16th edition of TULCA Festival of Visual Arts which takes place in Galway this November. Syntonic State will feature over 20 artists through a mix of new commissions, existing and never-before-seen work, performances, talks and events. Some of Ireland’s most exciting artists will be joined by international artists Cyprien Gaillard and 2008 Turner Prize-winner Mark Leckey.

The exhibition takes dual cues from Galway’s merchant and mariner histories, and from the concept of nostalgia, with its cultural links to revelry and hedonism. The comfort we take in looking to the past – particularly during times of political and social crisis – forms the premise for multiple artistic responses. TULCA 2018 takes its title from the psychology term to be ‘culturally syntonic’, or to be in harmony with one’s environment. Living in a time of mass migration and displacement, the search for a ‘syntonic state’ is a provocation that explores nostalgia in popular culture; it’s use as a political device to incite fear and anger and the ways in which we all struggle to find our place in the world.

Syntonic State will assemble, converge and appear across the city and county with the conviction that art in urban spaces can activate historical, architectural, societal, political and aesthetic contexts. TULCA will present a diverse array of these artistic responses aimed at recontextualising history, as a vehicle for understanding our present moment.

TULCA 2018: Syntonic State features artworks by Irish and international artists that are presented across multiple venues throughout the city including: TULCA Festival Gallery at Fairgreen House, Galway Arts Centre, 126 Artist-run Gallery, NUIG Gallery, Columban Hall, Electric Galway and Sheridans.

TULCA 2018: Syntonic State curated by Linda Shevlin | 2-18 November 2018