This is the documentation from the outdoor installlation The touring Tama (Megalo Tama) by Irish artist Miriam Mc Connon in Dublin\\\\\\\'s Merrion Square in June/July 2013. The artwork was commissioned by the Dublin City Council and Dublin City Parks to commemorate Irelands presidency of the EU.
On June 14th 2013, The Touring Tama in Merrion Square, Dublin had to be taken down a day after its installation and hours before its official opening due to severe damage that the artwork suffered through vandalism. However the artwork was repaired by the artist with the support of the Dublin City Council and the Dublin City Parks and the Resourse Centre on Pearse Street. It was relaunch successfully on the 11th of July 2013, four weeks after its original launch date.
The cloth itself is the artwork, made up of handkerchiefs and lace that have been given to the artist from the people of Ireland and Cyprus. The cloth measuring 550sq metres was sewn together by the artist herself. This aspect along with the use of traditional lace adds a strong domestic element to the artwork.
The cloth (Tama) has always had a story, made up of the histories behind each handkerchief. Now, because of its destruction and repair, it has its own story to tell, one of construction, destruction and reconstruction. This journey adds a deeper layer to the artwork, both conceptually and visually.
The Touring Tama is an artwork that aims to unite two countries, Ireland and Cyprus, two islands, on opposite sides of Europe and to create a sense of solidarity between the people of both nations.