Art in the Life World Bridge: Seamus Nolan, Pool mural: Theresa Nanigian Breaking Ground held a major international conference in Spring 2008. The conference looked at various aspects of the notion of autonomy in art. Speakers included: Daniel Jewsbury, David Jung, JJ Charlesworth, Tone Olaf Nielson, Mick Wilson, Amanda McDonald Crowley, Maria Lind, Prof Tony Bennett and Mitsuhiro Yoshimoto. A major exhibition was also be held in the old swimming pool in Ballymun town centre to coincide with the conference, curated by Aisling Prior, director of Breaking Ground. Artists included: Cecily Brennan, Jota Castro, Adam Chodzko, Minerva Cuevas, Jeanette Doyle, Jesse Jones, Mark McGowan, Stephen Gunning, Nevan Lahart, Matthieu Laurette, Theresa Nanigian, Seamus Nolan, Abigail Reynolds, Hiraki Sawa, Santiago Sierra, and The Centre of Attention In autumn 2006 Breaking Ground advertised a series of research commissions as part of the Art in the Life World conference. 7 research commissions were awarded to writers, critics, curators and artists, including Alberto Duman, Jan Estep, Claire Doherty, Rona O'Reilly, and Catherine Harty. The papers are available are available for free from Breaking Ground. Theresa Nanigian Nevan Lahart Minerva Cuevas Mark McGowan Jesse Jones (Production Shot)