Ideal State Agency (ISA)

Ideal State Agency was an artist group formed by Colette Lewis, Irene Murphy, and Elinor Rivers, active from 2004 to 2005. Adopting the pseudo-identity of a government department, the group created a series of public interventions that playfully inserted new narratives into the public realm. Their projects humorously critiqued societal norms and bureaucratic systems through satirical products and services, including Liquid States—created by the Department of Inner Realms, a range of refreshments for the 'ideal citizen' designed to re-energize, detox, and relieve urban stress—and the Artist Survival Kit, featuring tongue-in-cheek essentials for navigating the art world. Characterised by playful subversion and absurdist humor, their practice opened up space for social engagement and critical reflection.

Complaints and Compliments Department was a public art intervention held in Bishop Lucy Park, a city-centre public park in Cork. The project invited citizens to participate in a free public letter-writing service, allowing them to compose and type letters of complaint or compliment to anyone they chose. Psychotherapist and artist Ger Staunton facilitated the writing process. Recipients ranged from public institutions and difficult neighbors to local entertainers, family members, and friends. Participants could choose to have their letters posted, archived, or ceremonially incinerated on site.

Complaints and Compliments Department was commissioned by Cork Caucus, part of Cork 2005 European Capital of Culture. Cork Caucus was a major three-week international cultural forum exploring art, possibility, and democracy, using the city as a base to investigate the relationship between art and the potential for change in a specific place.