The Poetry of Vision (PDF)

The Poetry of Vision is the first book to explore the history of Rosc, the most influential series of contemporary art exhibitions to take place in Ireland during the twentieth century. Conceived by Ireland’s leading modernist architect, Michael Scott, Ireland was to play host to a major international art exhibition, approximately every four years, from 1967 to 1988, which brought the Irish public and Irish artists into contact with developments in international contemporary art. Rosc helped to combat the conservative and dying academicism of Irish art education of the sixties, which had rejected avant-garde developments. The Rosc project was rooted in idealism, but quickly – and consistently – sparked mass controversy.

Beyond the uproar, there was the art itself. An imaginative concept, Rosc continually acted as the main conduit to the Irish public and artistic community on avant-garde advances, tracing the transition from modernism to postmodernism, and provided exemplars and precedents for young Irish artists. Rosc had a dramatic impact on the public; some were outraged at what they saw as ‘rubbish’ masquerading as art. For others, Rosc was a revelation, opening their eyes to a new experience. In The Poetry of Vision, Peter Shortt details every confrontation and breakthrough to expose the true achievement and significance of the Rosc exhibitions in this lavishly illustrated book.