Docklands Authority and Project Arts Centre bring Performing Arts to the Streets of Dublin
The Dublin Docklands Development Authority has partnered with the Project Arts Centre to bring a unique series of arts performances to the streets of Dublin from Tuesday 27th June to Saturday 1st July 2006.
The programme, entitled "We Are Here – Views from a Changing City", is a performance project that uses specific locations around the city for a number of works which deal with identity, place and the changing nature of Dublin city.
The various projects of We Are Here touch on some of the fundamental shifts in the texture of Dublin life, from the disappearance of green spaces to the experiences of the city's new communities.
Dubliners can look forward to an exciting and thought-provoking selection of works, ranging from open air dance performances, film, live art and interactive music performances.
Artists taking part in We Are Here include Rex Levitates; Mark Garry, Myles Claffey and Karl Burke; Amanda Coogan; brokentalkers; Herma Wittstock and Yingmei Duan.
The All Weather Project, presented by Rex Levitates Dance Company choreographer Liz Roche, features a beautiful garden created in the urban environment of the Docklands. This natural haven will be the unique setting for a series of solo performances by a cast of highly acclaimed dance artists. Amanda Coogan's project, ar-ra-na-veen, an intriguing interactive music performance features a group of 27 performers on a three tiered stage, humming or singing along to an instrumental version of the Irish national anthem. None of the performers know the words.
Visitors to the Docklands will also encounter Yingmei Duan's live art performance, I love computer, which reflects the changing nature of our relationship with our jobs and our lifestyles and Herma Wittstock's The Sprint, depicting the artist running a 10meter long sprint course in slow motion, over several hours.
We Are Here is one of many initiatives included in the Docklands Authority's arts strategy demonstrating its commitment to the development of the arts and culture in the area.
Paul Maloney, Chief Executive of the Docklands Authority said that the initiative represents a great opportunity to showcase the Docklands area and its suitability for a variety of arts and cultural events.
Mary McCarthy, Arts Manager at the Docklands Authority said, “We're delighted to be working with the Project Arts Centre on such a varied and exciting programme of events. The performances are sure to entertain and intrigue Dubliners and, no doubt, provoke discussion on contemporary life in Dublin city.”
Commenting on We Are Here, Willie White, Artistic Director with the Project Arts Centre, said, "This festival gives artists an opportunity to map the changing physical and cultural landscape of Dublin city."
Further information on the performances can be found at www.project.ie or www.dublindocklands.ie
For further information, please contact: Loretta Lambkin, Docklands Authority, Tel. 818 3300 Sheila Gahan/Christine Lydon, WHPR, Tel 669 0030 or 087 283 7407
Film
Look underneath, that's where the trouble is
Myles Claffey, Mark Garry and Karl Burke Venue TBC 27th June to 1st
July (11am to 6pm) Myles Claffey, Mark Garry and Karl Burke have
previously collaborated on commissioned films “Landscapes” in 2005” and
“Pockets” in 2006. These films were initially instigated by a mutual
interested in how the Irish landscape is depicted and recognised
culturally. Mark Garry stated that, ‘We recognised a demise of interest
in the Irish landscape in the Celtic Tiger generation. In particular the
lack of interest in Irish mythology and its relation to the Irish
landscape. Rather than depict these areas in a nostalgic or retrograde
manner we felt it would be of more worth to utilise contemporary
technologies and mechanisms and we set about reacting to these beautiful
mysterious spaces in a subjective contemporary manner'.
Performance Track
Brokentalkers What is the city but the people – William Shakespeare
Call Project Arts Centre Box Office on 01-881 9613. Location of
meeting point is O' Connell Street 27th June to 1st July (6pm and 8pm)
Track is a site specific performance which takes the audience on a
journey into the heart of multicultural Dublin. Using audio technology
and live performance, Track offers an insight into life in an
ever-changing city from the point of view of its newer inhabitants.
Track is a piece in which the stories of the ‘new Dubliners' are played
out in a language of sights and sounds. The work is also concerned with
creating a greater understanding between the people who call this city
their home.
Dance
The All Weather Project
George's Dock, IFSC Daily from 12pm, solo performances every 15
minutes from 12pm to 3pm and 5pm to 8pm on weekdays and all day Saturday
Conceived and created by Rex Levitates Dance Company choreographer Liz
Roche in collaboration with landscape artist Jim Bloxam, the ‘All
Weather Project' features a lavish garden created in the urban setting
of the Docklands. This natural haven in George's Dock in the IFSC will
be the unique setting for a series of solo performances by a cast of
highly acclaimed dance artists.
Live art
I love computer Yingmei Duan
Docklands (various locations) Running from 28th to 30th June,
mornings. Wearing pink pyjamas the artist sits on the ground at entrance
points to Docklands during the morning rush hour. Her feet are bare. She
hugs a monitor, her head resting on it. Her eyes are closed. She looks
happy and relaxed and seems to be sleeping. She is the first point of
contact for workers on their way to work in the Docklands businesses.
This work reflects the changing nature of our relationship with our jobs
and our lifestyles.
Live art
The Sprint Herma Wittstock
Excise Walk, IFSC 28th to 30th June, 12-2pm For this piece the
artist is dressed in normal sprint clothes. The sprint course is 10m
long but she needs several hours to ‘run' to the finishing line. The
sprint is made in slow motion. This is a piece about ambition and speed.
The pace of our lives has changed in ways and with results we don't yet
understand. There is no prize for being the slowest in our society.
Live art
Ar-ra-na-veen Amanda Coogan
Mayor Square, Docklands 28th to 30th June, 12-2pm A group of 27
performers, on a three tiered stage, will hum/sing along to an
instrumental version of the Irish national anthem. With hands on heart,
as in a sporting event or evenings end of a disco or club, due reverence
is given. None of the performers know the words of the anthem succinctly
but know the tune and the phrasing of the song.