9ft in Common Exhibition : Multitudes, 18-21 September

Banking Hall, Former Bank of Ireland, Royal Avenue
21st & 22nd September – 11am-3pm

9ft in Common presents Multitudes, a symbolic offering of 202 ceramic hag stones that honours Belfast’s 202 kilometre long mapped network of alleyways as well as the people and stories that populate them.

Hag Stones are naturally occurring stones with a hole. Traditionally they were believed to protect against evil and were used as good luck charms. Looking through the hole was thought to enable people to see other realms of possibility.

These ceramic hag stones reflect the realms of possibility, and the creative possibilities that exist in Belfast’s overlooked spaces.

We invite you to visit the hag stones, to contemplate our city’s rich built heritage, and to imagine a future for its often overlooked and taken for granted alleyways.

What multitudes exist?

Multitudes is presented by 9ft in Common as part of their Belfast 2024 commission A Manifesto for the Alleys – led by Studio idir and Starling Start with Meadhbh McIlgorm

🌑202 ceramic hag stones have been made by Claire and Karen Gibson @redearthdesignsstudio

🌑Their 202 plinths have been crafted by @toastedwood_ using an ancient burning technique, shou sugi ban

🌑The installation is accompanied by a soundscape by @photosbysi

🌑Special thanks to Belfast Stories for hosting Multitudes, to MayWe Events and to University of Atypical for their support