Arbitrary Nations

A group of colourful flags, flying in a strong wind, against a backdrop of spruce trees.

Arbitrary Nations by Asbestos will be expanded into a new site-specific installation for the Education Studio, in collaboration with the National Gallery of Ireland's Youth Panel, as part of our week-long event, Art, Migration, and the Politics of Belonging.

Asbestos is a contemporary artist whose multidisciplinary practice engages critically with urgent social and political issues through installation, text, performance and participatory methods. 

Exploring ideas of borders, identity, citizenship and collective belonging, the Arbitrary Nations installation will invite audiences into a space filled with fictional flags. These flags represent the random, ephemeral, and idiosyncratic things we have in common - shared traits that extend beyond borders. Developed in collaboration with young people, the project encourages participants and visitors alike to consider how nations, identities and systems of belonging are constructed, negotiated and experienced. 

“Arbitrary Nations challenges our idea of national identity and how we represent it. It’s an unending series of fictional flags” - Asbestos

Opening times: 
  • Monday 14 September: 1pm - 5pm
  • Tuesday 15 September: 1pm - 5pm
  • Wednesday 16 September: Closed to the public
  • Thursday 17 September: 1pm - 8pm
  • Friday 18 September: 9.15am - 8pm
  • Saturday 19 September: 1pm - 5pm
  • Sunday 20 September: 11am - 5pm
Access information:

The Education Studio is on level 1 of the Gallery and is fully accessible by lift from the Clare Street entrance. It is at the same level as the Merrion Square entrance. Toilets, accessible toilets, baby changing, and a Changing Places facility are located near the Studio. Arbitrary Nations is an invigilated installation should you require assistance.