Performance art piece with collaborator, RAM Cellist Ailbhe McDonagh.
What is Life is about public grieving and references the recent pandemic, the loss of life and the restrictions placed on the bereaved. This work was commissioned by Soul Noir and took place in the Danial O O’Connell room in the Georgian Societies assembly house in Dublin, a very atmospheric place with large Georgian windows. I chose to appear in Victorian funeral attire, their grieving process was prolonged, and the music of English contralto Kathleen Ferrier singing, “What is Life?” from Orfeo ed Euridice by Gluck was played. Orfeo is so consumed with grief at the death of his beloved Euridice that the gods allow him to lead her back from the underworld – if he will not look at her on the way. Eventually, Orfeo turns around impulsively to look at her and Euridice dies again. Working with ceramic death masks that when dipped in water change from white to skin colour, and back again to deadly white as they dry and with bunches of dried flowers and rosemary for remembrance I moved slowly through the space.
The cellist, collaborator Ailbhe McDonagh performed in collaboration moving from Gluck’s version to harmonising with the movements and sounds made by the performer.
Costume by Asumpta Broe.
You can find a link to the exhibition catalogue here.
