aemi is a Dublin-based initiative that supports and regularly exhibits moving image works by artists and experimental filmmakers.
Since its formation in 2016 aemi’s key objective has been to provide support for artists working with the moving image in order to contribute to a developing infrastructure around these practices in Ireland. aemi is dedicated to expanding audiences for this material through regular curated programmes of Irish and international work with the intention of enriching the critical discourse that surrounds the wide range of activity in this area. 1
History
aemi prioritises access to the cinema as an important site of exhibition for artists and makes this space available to engage with overlooked histories of practice and cultivate new forms of expression through the moving image. One of aemi’s current priorities is the development of a strategic approach for the national and international dissemination of moving image works by Irish and Ireland-based artists through touring and festival partnerships. In doing so aemi contributes to a more multifaceted network of supports for moving image artists in Ireland that strengthens connections with similarly framed international organisations.
aemi has presented screening programmes featuring work by over a hundred Irish and international artists. These events create opportunities for critical discourse through commissioned texts and talks with artists, programmers and curators. aemi has also produced ambitious research projects such as ‘No Longer Peripheral’ curated with Dr Maeve Connolly and presented at Trinity College Dublin (2019) as well as large scale public art projects such as ‘port | river | city’ curated with artist Cliona Harmey and commissioned by Dublin Port Company (2017).
aemi works in close partnership with LUX, an international agency for artists who work with the moving image, the Irish Film Institute, Ireland’s national cultural institution for film and Temple Bar Gallery + Studios, a leading artists’ studio complex and contemporary art gallery in Dublin City Centre. aemi also regularly partners with a growing number of national and international arts and film organisations to present screening events that respond to, reflect upon, and interact with the varied themes that arise through their public programmes.
aemi was founded by its co-directors Alice Butler & Daniel Fitzpatrick in 2016 and is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland.
Along with Aoife Desmond, Alan Lambert, Donal Foreman and Esperanza Collado, both Daniel and Alice were curators with the Experimental Film Club, a collaborative project that presented over 50 artist and experimental moving image programmes in Ireland between 2010 and 2015, many of which took place at the Irish Film Institute.
Alice Butler is a Dublin-based film programmer, curator, lecturer and writer. Alice worked at the Irish Film Institute for six years where she curated several film seasons and had responsibility for artist moving image programming. Solo curatorial ventures have included ‘The L-Shape’ at The Dock, ‘As We May Think’ at IFI and ‘New Spaces’ with VAI Northern Ireland. Alice has written on the moving image for Sight and Sound, Vdrome, Paper Visual Art and Enclave Review and she has lectured or participated in panels on the moving image at Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, IMMA and PLASTIK Festival of Artists’ Moving Image.
Daniel Fitzpatrick served as Co-Director of PLASTIK Festival of Artists’ Moving Image in 2015 and 2017. He has also worked as a lecturer, programmer, and researcher with a special interest in the field of artists’ and experimental moving image. Daniel also served as Director of Killruddery Film Festival from 2009 to 2012 and was Co-Director of Experimental Film Club.
