Arts News from Cork County Arts

 

Arts News

Body Of An exhibition by Samir Mahmood, Conor O’Brien and Oskar Szewczuk Image: Samir Mahmood, Metamorphia VIII. Image credit: Simon Mills Opening at 6pm on Thursday 6th July 2023 LHQ Gallery at County Library  Exhibition runs until Friday 4 August, Monday – Friday, 9am – 5.30pm. To coincide with Cork Pride, Cork County Council Library and Arts Service has announced a three-person exhibition by artists Samir Mahmood, Conor O’Brien and Oskar Szewczuk, each representing the marginalised non heteronormative body in their work. The exhibition entitled “Body Of” opens Thursday 6th July at 6pm in LHQ Gallery, Cork County Library and will feature a range of styles including painting and mixed media. The exhibition title references the phrase body of work. While body of work usually refers to the output of an artist, in this exhibition the term becomes literal through the artists depiction of their own bodies and alien bodies. Samir Mahmood references his experience of migration from a conservative society to a more liberal society in Ireland in his work. “The works included in this exhibition are personal photographs collaged and transferred on panels. These photographs of bodies seem suspended in space, morphing, mutating and evolving - similar to the experience of a queer migrant in new surroundings, a new country, coming to terms with the new realities, “ says Samir. Conor O’Brien paints fungi and deep marine life, in a way that allows them to take on a rhizomatic form. “My work explores the relationship between marginalised queer bodies and the alien other of science fiction. The paintings in this show include biomorphic creations which I refer to as Visitors. I use life native to earth such as fungi or marine life, informing the viewer that the Visitors are more like us than we might initially think. The amalgam bodies that emerge in the paintings include limbs and visceral forms reminiscent of genitalia and internal organs. They don’t resolve into coherent bodies - they appear to fluctuate, never resting, ever growing.” says Conor, “I see this as parallel to the experience of trans and gender queer people who are othered, and who dismantle preconceived notions of gender.” Oskar Szewczuk’s work is centred around themes of the body and the human form. “In recent years my work has developed strong themes of queer art with this use of body image. My own experiences with body inspire me to make unconventional artists books and contemporary textile art,” says Oskar “There is a vulnerability in my work that contradicts with the masculine army themes.” The LHQ Gallery is funded by Cork County Council and The Arts Council of Ireland. The Score An exhibition by James L Hayes Image: James Hayes, production stills from The Score, 2023. Opening at 7pm on Saturday 8th July 2023, in Macroom Town Hall By Dr. Séamus Ó Tuama Exhibition runs until Saturday 29th July, Tuesdays – Sundays, 11am – 6pm. Cork County Council joins artist James L Hayes in inviting the public to experience his latest exhibition ‘The Score’, a captivating exploration of the traditional Irish sport of road bowling. This unique contemporary art showcase, presented in collaboration with members and players from Ból Chumann na hÉireann, The Irish Road Bowling Association, will open its doors to the public at 7pm on Saturday, July 8th in Macroom Town Hall. ‘The Score’ exhibition comprises of a multi-screen film and sound installation with bespoke sculptural artworks and objects.  The Score has been curated by and has a bespoke sound composition by Peter Power.Dunmanway road bowler Hannah Cronin collaborated with the artist on the film installation, while Dr. Séamus Ó Tuama advised on the two-year project. Dr. Séamus Ó Tuama is the writer of The Irish Examiner Road Bowling column, former Ból Chumann na hÉireann and referee.  Commissioned by Cork County Council in 2021, James L Hayes engaged with athletes and attended scores across the county, including The King and Queen of the Road, an annual event in Ballincurrig each September featuring competitors from Cork, Armagh, The Netherlands and Germany. The much-anticipated exhibition opening has been planned to coincide with this year’s All-Ireland competition. ‘The Score’ is made possible by funding from Cork County Council and Creative Ireland. The exhibition opens at Macroom Town Hall on Saturday July 8th at 7pm and is open from Tuesdays to Sundays 11am to 6pm, until July 29th, 2023. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. Cork County Arts & Library Service call for applications: Filmmaker in Residence Scheme A still from short film “Collapse” by Mark Delaney made through Future Filmmakers & screened at First Cut Film Festival 2023, supported through work undertaken by 2022 Filmmaker in Residence Elena Horgan Cork County Council seeks applications for a Filmmaker in Residence. This Residency that will develop and deliver a number of initiatives in which the selected  film artist can assist young people’s participation in film,  engage with emerging filmmakers and film festivals in Cork County, strengthen the position of film in the context of the Council’s  overall arts service provision and enable improved access to film making in different localities or communities.  The Residency will also provide the filmmaker with an opportunity to develop and realise a small-scale filmmaking project. Context: The Filmmaker in Residence will support the work of Cork Young Filmmakers, an initiative of the Arts Service of Cork County Council and Cork Film Centre which provides access to creative film making for young people in County Cork in settings where young people can work in a safe, managed, supportive environment with professional film personnel.  Cork has an active independent film making base. It is expected that the Film Maker in Residence will engage with the sector to develop training and other supports and will also assist the Council in researching and developing future sustainable supports for film and video artists and the wide independent film sector. The Residency: This is a Contract for Service over a 12 month period commencing September 2023. Funding: The residency fee is valued at €15,000 inclusive of all expenses. A separate production budget not exceeding €8,000 will be agreed with the successful candidate, subject to budgetary process.  Funding for the residency is provided through the Creative Ireland, the Arts Council and Cork County Council. Brief: The Filmmaker in Residence will include some or all of the following: Support the Cork Young Filmmakers programme, working with young people to create films which will be premiered at the First Cut Film Festival in April 2024/25 Develop and create an original film in their own area of interest. Engage with and support emerging filmmakers in Cork County Engage with specific communities of interest Engage with Film Festivals in the County area to examine ways to promote the work of local filmmakers Work on an agreed number of Cork County Council / Creative Ireland film development initiatives Assist the development and improvement of local authority services for film. The Filmmaker-in-Residence will be supported by the Cork County Council Culture Team and Library & Arts Service staff.  The Filmmaker-in-Residence may collaborate across the different programmes and activities of the Library, Arts and Heritage Services, working closely with the wider team to develop ideas and projects.  The Filmmaker in Residence will abide by relevant Cork County Council policies and guidelines and operate in accordance with said polices and guidelines.  1.               APPLICATION PROCEDURE Please note applications should be made by sending the following: ·       An up-to-date CV, including the names and contact details of two professional references. ·       A written submission of interest (500 words maximum) responding to the brief, which outlines a potential  approach to this residency, including possible areas of interest. Please also refer and include information as per selection criteria listed. ·        A cover letter outlining any examples of relevant work in the area of youth arts/socially engaged arts practice. ·       Examples of your work as a film maker (ie: links to vimeo/youtube) 2.               SELECTION CRITERIA FOR FILMMAKER IN RESIDENCE The ideal person for this role should have: Hold a minimum FETAC Level 7 qualification  in Fine Art / Film & TV / Animation studies.  (Qualifications in other possibly unrelated areas will be considered ) Proven track record/achievement in film and in public engagement. Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be able to work with a wide cross section of the local community. Possess relevant skills including IT competencies and knowledge of online communications processes. Demonstrate a creative and/or community-centred approach to the delivery of the Filmmaker in Residence programme, with a strong passion for equality and inclusion. A full valid driver’s licence and a capacity to travel as part of the residency. 3.               SELECTION PROCESS All applications will be evaluated be on the basis of the information supplied. Only applications that respond adequately to the outlined criteria above will be considered. Cork County Council may seek additional information from the applicant solely for the purpose of clarifying details provided. Applicants maybe shortlisted for interview. DEADLINE Please send completed application 'Filmmaker in Residence' to:  creative.ireland@corkcoco.ie by Friday July 14th Cork County July Festivals Fiona Kennedy performing in Kinsale as part of Culture Night 2022. Photo by Peter O' Toole With summer well and truly under way, festivals across County Cork are beginning to put fun, music and art in the air this July! Cork County Council is proud to help fund the following festivals this summer, and be sure to check these out if you are looking for culture and creativity in the coming weeks! Beara Film Fest, Castletownbere: 1st July St. Barrahane’s Church Festival of Music, Castletownshend: 20th July - 18th August Mallow Arts Festival, Mallow: 26th July - 30th July Skibbereen Arts Festival, Skibbereen: 26th July - 5th August Be sure to check out the websites for further details and future additions to see all the fantastic arts festivals occurring in Cork in 2023! Summer Sing! Free Summer Camp Places The LCYP and Youth Services have 50 free places for UBU projects to send young people with seldom heard voices to the Summer Sing Youth Arts Festival in Cork City for the week of 17th – the 21st of July.  The link for registration is: https://www.summersing.ie/private-registration/p/private-registration Please note that the private registration link caters to young people aged 10-15 with seldom heard voices only.  More information on the Summer Sing! And the public registration link (€200) can be found at https://www.summersing.ie McCullough Mulvin Architects Appointed by West Cork Music for a Music Centre Development in Bantry Following the completion of a public procurement process, West Cork Music announces the appointment of McCullough Mulvin Architects to head the design team for the development of the music centre in Bantry. Community Information Evening: In September, the architects will be in Bantry to meet with people locally in a Community Information Evening. West Cork Music aim to facilitate both in-person and online/remote attendance.  All Is Connected In Nature And Time Blackwater Valley Makers hosts the opening of an exhibition by textile artist Ann Mechelinck on Saturday July 1st.  This solo exhibition is entitled 'All is Connected in Nature and Time'  The opening is on in Blackwater Valley Makers exhibition space and the exhibition will continue for the months of July and August. be sure to pop in and see this treat for yourself! Cork County Council DLI Bursaries Announced Ciara O' Driscoll and Aine Donovan have been awarded €400 bursaries towards attending the Drama League of Ireland Residential Summer School which takes place at the University of Limerick from Saturday July 22nd to Saturday July 29th 2023. Best of luck to both!