The Rosc '67 exhibition of modern paintings and ancient Celtic art is unlike any previously seen in Ireland.
Rosc is an old Gaelic word meaning the poetry of vision and Rosc '67, is the first art exhibition of world importance to be held in Ireland. The exhibition held at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) and the National Museum represents living art with 150 paintings by 50 international artists on display. However the relationship between modern art and the art of the past is also explored with 60 objects of pre-twelfth century Irish art are on display, including the Tara Brooch, the Book of Kells and the Ardagh Chalice.
The exhibits were chosen by an international jury headed by James Johnson Sweeney, Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas. Rosc founder, the architect Michael Scott is also the chairman of the organising committee responsible for the whole exhibition.
Brendan Gill critic for ‘The New Yorker’ says the most extraordinary thing for him about the exhibition is
The perfect marriage of the room with the paintings that it contains, it’s extraordinary what Mr Patrick Scott has been able to make out of this great big cavernous space.
The paintings benefit from the surroundings which give spectators an opportunity to walk around and feel the impact of the art.
It’s an extraordinary, tour de force of architecture and in terms of museum design, that to me is perhaps the most exciting thing about the entire ROSC show.
Distinguished visitors, artists, critics, connoisseurs from abroad and virtually who of Irish cultural and intellectual life were present at the opening night of ROSC ’67. Minister for Finance Mr Charles Haughey opened the exhibition saying
It is important for us to be identified with the best in contemporary culture and to offer our visitors as vivid an insight as possible into our own past.
Some of the international work on display includes ‘Central Park’ by Belgian artist Pierre Alechinsky, ‘Two Women’ by Duch artist Karel Appel and arguably the most compelling yet troubling painting ‘Study for a Portrait on a Revolving Chair’ by the Irish-born artist Francis Bacon.
Rosc '67 was held at the RDS grounds in Ballsbridge and the National Museum, Kildare Street from 13 November 1967- 9 January 1968.
‘Rosc‘67’ was broadcast on 19 November 1967.
