We both arrived in Dublin for different reasons at different stages of our lives. We both struggled to navigate this overwhelming new place that seemed to be a world of its own…a microworld. ‘Dublin A Microworld’ was born out of an effort to connect with Dublin as a space and to encapsulate all of its essence.
Reaching out to our fellow youths, we presented an open-ended question that simply asked: “Which photograph best represents your experience of Dublin?” This resulted in an array of contrasting images, often showing a broad spectrum of vulnerabilities. The experiences of Dublin varied from student accommodation to sunsets, back gardens, city scenes, and private moments with loved ones.
This project allowed us to rediscover Dublin through the lens of others. As a result we have finally formed a connection with Dublin as a place and as a community. We finally feel at home.
Dublin A Microworld
Something comes alive in me when I hear the announcement that Heuston Station is the next stop, I know I’m coming back to the buzz of the Big Shmoke and I can’t wait to just get in the middle of it again…
Constant assignments, work three days a week, bills and rent always due…….the pressure is never ending.
Lost and found posters bring humour and a narrative to the abandoned walls of the Liberties and other areas
Before moving to the South, Dublin was my granny’s house. Now I visit her every Friday night to get a taste of fish, and of home. The rules to ‘who sits where’, that funny universal game have changed over time. Grandad used to sit in the green chair and granny in the cream. After his death, granny moved to the green chair (closer to the TV) and I to the cream chair. Here, we partake in our weekly ritual of watching Coronation Street and then remarking at how glad we are that our lives are not as ridiculous or as complicated as the characters. The new rules imposed in Dublin have taken precedent over the rules of our game. This was taken from my new seat, to allow a two-meter distance between us. Although the pandemic continually puts physical distance between us, this image was warm. The greens and creams, reflect and strengthen the comfort diffused throughout the room. Dictionary and crossword at the table, velvet dishevelled in the shape of her legs, she is both the missing component and still present in.
The colour of the sky captured in this photo reminds me of the heat that came from breweries and distilleries, and embraced me after heavy rains every time I walked on by
This is my back garden
Please excuse my French, but what an ugly and depressing shithole of a town, what an absurdly remote University, what an outrageous money mongering approach by UCD to student accommodation, what an abysmal public transport system and what a terrible decision of mine to spend a year at UCD
Howth always felt like the edge of a world to me. It's my family's go-to weekend place. It's an escape from the busy city centre and a way to reconnect with nature. I took my friends who have never been there before and it felt like I was discovering it all over again
Down but not defeated