The Eco Showboat is a zero carbon floating arts infrastructure currently being developed by the School of Looking with the aim of navigating the inland waterways mobilising the arts to engage the Irish public on climate change.

This aim supports Creative Ireland’s aim to spark dialogue on how the Cultural and Creative sectors can engage the Irish public on climate change. In advance of the Eco Showboat’s inaugural expedition in 2021, School of Looking will work with a local artist and a community in each of 5 counties to explore climate through the arts. Dublin is a county richly endowed by waterways. With 2 canals and dozens of rivers, it faces severe challenges brought on by climate change, including flooding, water quality and biodiversity loss. School of Looking will work with Dublin Artist Marie Hanlon and Charleville Mall Library to produce a new process based artwork exploring water quality.

The project, entitled HERE TODAY… WATER’S FRAGILE FUTURE will include a time-based experience of filtering water from the Royal Canal, coupled with a film based on the work of a research group. This process focused project aims to develop creative conversations around climate change. It will engage the local community in awareness of all the water bodies which surround them, the connectedness of water, the impact of human action on water and possible water futures. 

Outputs will include a film and documentation of the process, all resulting work will be made available online.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.