Another Infrastructure (AI) North Clondalkin Library
On Saturday, August 29th, a programme of talks, workshops, artworks and food will take place at North Clondalkin Library, Rowlagh, in a one-day event 'Another Infrastructure (AI): art, environment, data centres & us'.
Artist ensemble Drop Table have been exploring the environmental and social impact of data centres and data infrastructure in the area since 2025 as part of a community-engaged project. They are considering alternative forms of infrastructure, such as small-scale data servers, care infrastructures, distributed money systems, LGBT+ built online tools, and local food systems as topics to counter large-scale data infrastructure. The day of events is free to attend and will include snacks and lunch, with activities aimed at adults and young people interested in data, community and care.
This August event is a reflective event at the mid-point of an ongoing project. Seven artists working collectively as Drop Table have been developing work in south Dublin titled 'Another Infrastructure (AI)'. The artists are based across Ireland, working out of North Clondalkin Library as part of South Dublin County Council's In Context Public Art programme. The programme will present some of the artists' work to date, collaborating with local community groups. The aim is to consider environmental and climate-based issues of data, with an emphasis on how community-built data infrastructure can be used to create and tend alternative networks.
Project lead Shane Finan said "This is a chance for people to come together, share a meal, see the different approaches and open up about the role of digital technologies in their lives. As artists, we have licence to think about these things through the lens of care, community and philosophy, and we hope to share some of this with the attendees on August 29th."
The project will continue from September with further meetings, workshops and artistic engagement with different members of the local community. Attendees will have a chance to become more involved with the ongoing work. Each artist is developing a project that will be presented as part of an exhibition and event at North Clondalkin Library later in 2026.
'Another Infrastructure (AI): art, environment, data centres & us' is free to attend but spaces and food are limited so booking is required. Tickets and a full timetable are available at https://droptable.org
Another Infrastructure (AI) by Drop Table is commissioned by South Dublin County Council for IN CONTEXT 5 - Connect, South Dublin County Council's Public Art programme under the Per Cent for Art Scheme.