Event
The Cloudlands National Tour by Helium Arts invites audiences into the creative lives of teenagers in hospital. Themes of alternate realities, escape and hidden stories are revealed through two distinct pieces of artwork, developed by artists Rachel Tynan and Eszter Némethi with teenagers in Temple Street Children’s University Hospital and Cork University Hospital. Running from March to June 2016 in arts venues and hospitals in Galway, Waterford, Cork and Dublin, Cloudlands will be accompanied by a series of free events for artists, schools and medical students.
The ‘Titans’, developed by artist Rachel Tynan and teenagers in Temple Street, is an installation formed through a family of beautiful wooden figures. As the figures are moved into different combinations, they reveal sound recordings of the teenagers’ stories. From a Star Lady who heals, to a transforming cheeky Faun, the ‘Titans’ uncover another world that sheds light on the characters and their lives. The ‘Titans’ will tour to arts venues.
‘Radio/Silence’, developed by artist Eszter Némethi and teenagers in Cork University Hospital, is an interactive radio game that alters the hospital environment for the listener. Using mobile phones, listeners can help the characters save the world from an evil doctor intent on spreading silence. This piece will tour to teenagers in hospital and will also be available to access through participating galleries in documentary form.
The Cloudlands project was developed by Helium Arts as an artist residency programme connecting artists with teenagers in hospital through collaborative projects. Running since 2013, the project was specifically designed for teenagers who have to endure long hospital stays, often in wards with much younger children and with little in the way of creative stimulation.
PUBLIC TOUR DATES
- Galway | Galway Arts Centre | 4 – 19 March 2016
- Waterford | Garter Lane Arts Centre | 31 March – 9 April 2016
- Cork | The Atrium, Cork City Hall | 22 – 28 April 2016
- Dublin | ArtBox Gallery | 19 May – 2 June 2016
The Cloudlands National Tour will be launched in Galway Arts Centre on Friday 4 March at 6pm. All are welcome. For further information see www.galwayartscentre.ie
THE ARTISTS
Rachel Tynan graduated from the National College of Art and Design (BA Art and Design Education) in 2009. She recently completed her Masters in Design, examining the effects illness has on the human body through textile, sculpture and body art. She exhibited Soar Saor as part of The Ark’s Awakening Curiosity exhibition (2012) and her solo exhibition Cut Throat at The LAB (2012) pushed her work beyond the fixed manifestations of installation with an explorative dance performance which further explored the experience of living with an illness. www.racheltynan.ie
Eszter Némethi is a theatre maker and holds a BA in Drama and Theatre Studies from UCC. She has a special interest in collaborative performance making in various contexts. Her work centres on “real” non-actor performers and collaborators, strongly defined spaces and a special attention to the audience’s experience and engagement. Over the past year, Eszter has been exploring the use of game-mechanics and interactivity in her work. Eszter is the artistic director of Makeshift Ensemble and director of the company’s productions to date, Exit Strategy (2013), No One Can Hear You In There (2012) and Osteoporosis (2011). She is also curator of the multi-disciplinary arts event Quarter.
www.makeshiftensemble.com
The Cloudlands National Tour is funded by an Arts Council of Ireland Touring and Dissemination of Work Award.
