Event
Yes, But Do You Care? explores the human right to make a bad decision, family care-giving and Ireland’s new capacity legislation. Created by visual artist Marie Brett with choreographer/performer Philip Connaughton and members of The Dementia Carers Campaign Network, filmed documentation of the piece will be streamed by the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) from 7 – 21 April 2021.
Background
Marie Brett was an invited artist in residence at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) in 2018 and researching the impact of family caring for a person with dementia. She attended a Law Society human rights event which questioned the complexity of Ireland’s new capacity legislation and its relation to family care giving. Brett was curious and pursued further research which led to her inviting members of the Dementia Carers Campaign Network and performer Philip Connaughton into a process of collaboration, so as to creatively explore some of these complexities. As their project progressed advisors in law, arts and human rights also folded into the process.
About the work
Yes, But Do You Care? combines dance and spoken word with drawing, sculptural and video elements together with sound and site response. Materials with metaphoric and symbolic significance were used, including a tonne of salt, timber housing and legislation extracts.
The event was created during a level 5 coronavirus governmental lockdown and documented through film.
Accompanying the work is a booklet with a series of essays by arts writer Sarah Kelleher; Professor Eilionóir Flynn, Established Chair at the School of Law and Director of the Centre for Disability Law and Policy at NUIG; and Tina Leonard, Head of Advocacy and Public Affairs at The Alzheimer Society of Ireland. There will also be a series of artists and participant conversations.
Screening
IMMA is launching the film via their website at 12 noon on 7 April. The film will be available to view until 21 April.
Watch the film here: https://imma.ie/whats-on/yes-but-do-you-care/
Yes, But Do You Care? is supported by The Arts Council, CREATE, Business to Arts and Bank of Ireland, IMMA, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Dublin City Council and Dublin Dance Festival. With thanks to individual advisory panel members, Axis: Ballymun, Felton McKnight Solicitors and Poetry Ireland.
