Betty Gold - Select Image To View Photographs

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COIS NA LAOI

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The Ghost of the Exhibition: Betty Gold’s Cois na Laoi. Located within the verdant landscape of Fitzgerald Park, the sculpture Cois na Laoi (1994) by Betty Gold serves as a structural bridge between Cork’s modern identity and its industrial heritage. While the title translates from Irish as "Beside the Lee," the work eschews fluid, watery imagery in favour of rigid concrete pillars and masonry steps. This aesthetic choice is deeply rooted in the history of the site and the unique topography of the city.

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A Legacy of Industry and Innovation

The site of Fitzgerald Park holds a significant place in Irish history as the grounds for the Cork International Exhibition of 1902–1903. This grand "World’s Fair" featured massive, temporary pavilions designed to showcase the pinnacle of Victorian and Edwardian industry, trade, and engineering.

Gold’s choice of materials—weathered concrete and stacked brick—echoes the functional, industrial language of that era. The pillars stand as minimalist interpretations of the grand columns that once supported the Exhibition’s Industrial Hall, while the steps evoke the monumental staircases that greeted millions of visitors at the turn of the century.

Topography in Concrete And Brick

Beyond historical references, the sculpture captures the physical sensation of navigating Cork. The city is defined by its dramatic inclines and the limestone pedestrian steps that descend from the northern and southern ridges toward the river basin. By abstracting these elements into a single installation, the artist has created a "topographical monument."

The Pillars: These vertical forms represent the sturdiness of the quay walls and the industrial silos that line the River Lee.

The Steps: These masonry tiers reflect the "Step-Side" culture of the city, where stairways are essential arteries for urban movement.

The Dialogue: Positioned near the river, the sculpture creates a permanent dialogue between the heavy, static nature of the built environment and the fluid, constant motion of the water.

Reflections on the Modern Ruin

Today, the sculpture sits as a quiet, modern ruin amidst the park's greenery. The rust-stained concrete and the growth of local flora around the base allow the piece to feel integrated into the landscape rather than imposed upon it. It serves as a reminder that the park was once a bustling hub of mechanical progress, condensing the architectural memory of Cork into a series of silent, geometric forms.

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