Talk 2: Scarred Landscape. Scarred Mindscape?
In 2009 photographer Debbie Castro started work on a project which became The Scarred Landscape, a journey into rural Ireland, as witness to the change and impact of the construction of the M9 motorway. Charting the negative effects, Castro worked in Kildare with 15 landowners on a 12 mile distance, though over 300 families were affected by the development.
PhotoIreland Festival has programmed this timely debate in reponse to Debbie Castro’s exhibition. It is timely to now ask in the aftermath of the Celtic Tiger, whose ambitious infrastructure represented the vision of a 21st century Ireland , what are the real consequences for the communities that border the new motorway routes. Is the legacy for communities dislocation or a new found confidence and progress ?
Scarred Landscape. Scarred Mindscape? panel with artists (Debbie Castro, Dominic Thorpe and Ray Yeates), urban planner (Philip Lawton) and Leslie Hendy, local resident, will discuss the recent changes on our shared geography and psychology. Chaired by Sarah Tuck Director of Create Ireland.
Philip Lawton a postdoctoral researcher on the ACRE - Accommodating Creative Knowledge Research Project in University College Dublin. His PhD examined the inter-relationship between the planning and everyday use of urban public space in London, Dublin and Amsterdam. This highlighted the increased role of private forces in shaping public space along with the impacts of such forces on everyday usage.
Dominic Thorpe graduated with an MA from the National College of Art and Design, Dublin in 2006. His work is grounded in simple actions, often the act of listening. His interest lies in pushing through collective experience in contemporary Irish society to find and acknowledge the personal. This has brought him to engage with various people with a variety of experiences including families and friends of people who have taken their own lives; immigrants (to Ireland); and farmers in County Wicklow. He works in various media: performance, audio/visual, photography and drawing, and has shown work nationally and internationally.
Ray Yeates has worked extensively as a director in Ireland, England and America. He has previously worked as Deputy Artistic Director of the Abbey and is currently Director of the axis arts and community resource centre in Ballymun, Dublin
For more info contact info@photoireland.com
