Kathleen “Kathy” Bitetti is a multi-talented local artist, consultant, and curator. She has lived in South Boston for 20 years, pursuing numerous cultural interests that include public works of art, two of which are being created here in South Boston as you are reading this. Last weekend, true to her devotion to public art, Kathy combined a “Friendraiser” with her birthday brunch (Kathy is forever 29). Now, a “Friendraiser” is a means of generating contributions on a small, intimate scale. About 20 of Kathy’s friends gathered at her place to assist with funding the two works of art mentioned above. Such works of art are sometimes called “installations”. A better term might be “site specific art work”, because these creations are meant to “interact” in a highly specific way with their surroundings. In this case, both works of art will be installed later this summer at points near natural bodies of waters within Boston’s “Emerald Necklace”. This two-fold art project is entitled “Tir na nOg”, which means (roughly) Land of Youth in Gaelic. It is based upon an Irish myth about a sort of Paradise to the West where one can live forever. The art work pictured, “South of Hy-Brasil”, is by Caoimhghin O Fraithile, an Irish artist from Limerick and Dingle, who has studied in the United States and has created site specific works worldwide. He has received many awards; this is his first project in Boston. The other Tir na nOg work is by South Boston’s Michael Dowling, the Founder and Artistic Director of Medicine Wheel Productions at 110 K Street, the lead organization for the Tir na nOg project. Michael needs no introduction to Online’s South Boston readers. His installation will be named “The Well House”, continuing the water theme and reflecting the design of a Medieval Irish reliquary.
