http://www.aequalsaght.org/


A=AGHT // NOLA = TALLAGHT (Noh lae // Tahl lae) is:

A Concept, An Art Project, A Website, A Forum for Exchange , A Developing Pedagogy, A Traveling Exhibition, A Metaphor, A Catalyst for an Alternative Economy, A Cultural Investment

A=AGHT is a project designed by lead artist Jackie Sumell under the South Dublin County Percent for Art Scheme. Ms. Sumell is currently artist-in-resident through In Context-3 Programme, based in Tallaght and has been working in New Orleans over the last 7 years.

A=AGHT is a semi-utopic virtual space/town whose rules, population and culture are generated by a facilitated exchange between youth from New Orleans and Tallaght. Adult artists and cultural workers from both cities will develop projects that encourage youth participants to explore historic moments, social grievances, ethnic and racial disparities in order to invent a place of creative resolve.

A=AGHT is a concept based on creating the same sound from two entirely different spellings. This serves as the conceptual catalyst for the process of identifying and extracting commoness in seemingly different communities. NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) and Tallaght (South County Dublin).

A=AGHT was initiated in March 2008, and will develop towards an exhibition and corresponding publication scheduled for December 2008. The exhibition, a Visitors Centre for the invented place/space/identity/website.

A=AGHT will be build by participants under the tutelage of Jackie Sumell, and intends to travel between to two corresponding cities (New Orleans and Tallaght).

A=AGHT hopes to encourage young people to consider and address immediate concerns through challenging questions and projects. Participants will interact with each other in a non-public forum with weekly provocations posted. The forum will be mediated by lead artist Jackie Sumell and project coordinator Anne Keenan.

A=AGHT hopes to inspire other educators to develop programmes that are compelling, challenging and constructive. The complex poetics of inventing a place that exploits commonalities instead of people is inherent to the project's concept. The overall objective is to encourage young people to construct an imaginary place where the trajectories of these principles will influence the real life decisions of generations to come.