‘CATHAIR’ is more than a word, the poet Ceaití Ní Bheildiúin finds as she explores the connection between
city and ancient sites in Ireland. Using a litany of place names, chanted by the singer Rónán Ó Snodaigh,
and the controlled performance of Zoe Uí Fhaoláin on screen, the poet’s multimedia installation merges
visual images with verse to question our sense of place, of time and of belonging.
CATHAIR’s main exhibition is installed in THE BACK LOFT, an exhibition space on St. Augustine St., just
off Cornmarket, in Dublin city centre. The exhibition, commissioned by IMRAM Irish Language Literature
Festival 2012, consists of multiple projections which interact with Irish language text and poems. Outdoor
projections for this installation are to be seen at night during the festival near City Hall, on Dame St., and
on the screen at Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, during the exhibition. A further part of the installation
will be at Exchange, on Exchange St., Temple Bar.
What the poet/artist has to say:
“This project has brought me to out of the way rural places, sometimes clambering among rubble
of stones and other times to find curved elegance and craftsmanship of an ancient time. The same work has
brought me to explore the city and to relate to it in a new way. It has reconnected me to it to city life because
I left Dublin nine years ago choosing a rural place to live. This city visit has stirred something in me – a new
curiosity in the function of ‘city’, the practicality of ‘city’, the exuberance and diversity of it along with the
dangers inherent in it.
“Working with different people brings new tension into the work so I bring people in on every aspect
of the work that limited budgets permit.. The installation calls for the varying elements of film-making and
therefore need a team to put it together. I love working with Zoe Uí Fhaoláin. She is a performance artist
in her own right who has performed solo pieces as well as having worked with other artists. This is not our
first time to work together. She is tunes in instantly and takes direction easily. Whatever it is she brings to
the piece, it is always wonderful. I learn from each person I work with. The text for the project only began to
come to life when Jindrech Stanek, a young graphic designer, came on board. He worked his magic on it.
“As with all new work, this installation has brought me to new places in my head. The scope of the
exhibition allows me to communicate only so much of my experience with the subject and my response to it.
Now the audience comes in and it’s out of my hands.”
Ceaití Ní Bheildiúin (Poet / Artist)
Zoe Uí Fhaoláin (Actor)
EXHIBITION
Projections
- THE BACK LOFT, St. Augustine St., near Cornmarket
15 -21 October 12.00 noon – 7.00p.m.
- Meeting House Square, Temple Bar
12th, 14th, 15th, 16th October 7.30p.m. – 12.00 midnight
- near City Hall , Dame St.
15 -21 October 7.30p.m. – 12.00 midnight
- EXCHANGE, Exchange St, Temple Bar
18 -21 October 2.00p.m. – 6.00p.m
Official Opening
- Clíodhna Cussen, Sculptor, will open the installation
THE BACK LOFT
Tuesday, 16th October 6.30p.m.
