‘Big Art Energy’, edited by Louise Bruton and Cian O’Brien, is a celebration of Ireland’s creatives.

Project Arts Centre is releasing a brand new publication to showcase the wonderful work of Ireland’s creatives. ‘Big Art Energy’ brings together photographers, designers, artists and writers to share their ideas and stories from 2020.

BAE (Big Art Energy) is part of Project Arts Centre’s ongoing ‘Future Forecasts‘ series. Future Forecasts was developed in collaboration with journalist Una Mullally to examine the accessibility of art and culture in Dublin. It focuses on the Centre’s role in the community and how they can expand their audience.

Edited by Louise Bruton and Cian O’Brien, the publication delves into Dublin’s art scene with a bright and colourful design by Bureau Bonanza. Other artist contributors include portrait photographer Vanessa Ifediora, DJ group Club Comfort, artist Gary Farrelly and writer Soula Emmanuel. 

Speaking about the design, the Dublin-based duo Bureau Bonanza said they based the publication on Aisling copy books. They explained they wanted the inside of the book to emulate the chaos of an artist’s mind while being neat and calm on the cover. 

“The cover of the book will be kind of plain and quiet and still (with the title) and then inside is like the inside of your head and how you’re feeling in the midst of all this. Loads of stuff going on, maybe a little bit claustrophobic and anxious but colourful and beautiful and overall, hopeful”, Rachel said.

Stina Sandström and Rachel Copley McQuillan of Bureau Bonanza also designed the print, ‘Can You See Me?’, which accompanies the publication. They explained that the screen froze while video-calling one day. Rachel took a screenshot of Stina’s pixelated image and admired the gradient and colouring that had emerged. They imported the picture to Photoshop and began to edit it into the finished print. 

Head over to the Project Art Centre’s website to pre-order ‘Big Art Energy’ alongside a print and tailor-made playlist by Louise Bruton.