ESB Olmec Man
Transition Years and Community groups from Limerick DEIS schools (Ardscoil Mhuire (Corbally) and Coláiste Chiaráin (Croom)) creating our inaugural ESB Olmec Man, Museum in a Garden sculpture.
The garden will feature super-sized sculptures replicating artefacts from the museum. First to be installed is Olmec Man, a Mexican artefact that was digitised by TY students and made into a two-metre outdoor replica using 3D printing technologies with help from ESB, Arup, the Limerick School of Art & Design (LSAD) and Monaru.ie. Picture: Alan Place
What was this workshop all about?
This project collaborated with transition year students and local community groups to create a 2 metre+ statue of Olmec Man, a 30 cm high, jade figure from the Mesoamerican Olmec Civilisation of 1500 – 400 B.C. for the launch of the Museum in a Garden.
The challenge, according to Donncha O’Treasaigh, LCETB Director: “Transition Year is under intense pressure this year with Level 3 restrictions resulting in cancellations of Work Experience and Community Care options. There is a need to provide options to this programme amongst the schools in Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board and the wider region.”
Online Workshops
Despite the challenges posed by Covid-19 restrictions, seven transition year students from two Limerick DEIS schools (Ardscoil Mhuire (Corbally) and Coláiste Chiaráin (Croom)) took part in an online 3D rendering workshop. Students covered the two forms of 3D rendering used at the Hunt Museum: photogrammetry and laser scanning. Students were engaged in the workshop, with positive feedback.
Workshop leader Belinda demonstrated the basic principles of photogrammetry
Workshop leader Belinda demonstrated the basic principles of photogrammetry
Building Olmec Man
An invite was extended to the students to attend a workshop with Michael Mc Laughlin from MONARÚ. The students spent a full day in his workshop, getting hands-on with using a CNC machine. Another full day was spent at the Hunt Museum, installing Olmec Man in his spot overlooking the rest of the garden.
Learn more about Hunt Museum in a Garden
See our 3D model of Olmec Man on Sketchfab
Olmec Man was created in partnership with ARUP, Belinda Power and Transition Year students of Ardscoil Mhuire and Coláiste Chiaráin. Design & Production of sculpture by MONARÚ. With thanks to the ESB for funding.
If looking for one of our objects, please click here