Ruth E. Lyons

The opening of Glasimile was scheduled to coincide with the launch of the new Waterford Crystal visitors centre. Work for Glasimile began as an investigative research project into the emblem of Waterford Crystal: the seahorse, its iconography and its place within commercial industry. This brought The Good Hatchery to spend time in Seahorse Aquariums Ireland, the only seahorse farm in Europe, found in the Ballymount industrial estate, Dublin. Access was kindly given to the behind the scenes activities of importing, breeding, maintaining and displaying of the seahorses at the farm. Two videos were shot on location. The first video was still footage documenting full-grown seahorses in their artificial display setting. In contrast, the second video comprised of one moving handheld shot that depicted the infrastructure where such seahorses are bred. These videos formed the basis of an inquiry into the shifting roles of local industry, the exotic, and the place of faith during a time of flux.

The central work in Glasimile is an elaborate chipboard construction part well and part tower that is starkly lit within the darkened gallery space. The structure was inspired by the traditions and reverence surrounding holy wells in Ireland. It can be climbed by the means of a hexagonal spiral stair. On climbing its steps audience members could peer into the constructions core to a back lit glass well entirely filled with Gin. The alcoholic spirit could be accessed by means of a small glass.