After 2 days spent in the stunning surroundings that is Ballycroy, all the more beautiful by the spring sun that flooded dusty eyes and warmed tired limbs, we all got a chance to catch up after the long weekend.
There is no amount of technology that can truly depict what it is like to be driving around Northwest Mayo when the sun shines. And I mean blue skies out of a film set and those purple hills that are now so clearer in the paintings of Paul Henry. Driving from Castlebar, I think AA Roadwatch should have a warning for such conditions as it is likely you will put your car in a ditch for the siren-like sparkles off the Atlantic sea. Then, just after Mulranny, a right turn takes you away from the coast and and towards the striking yet foreboding onset of remote mountains where dwellings become fewer, and the land becomes flatter, the emerging of small forests being obvious man made imports and seem to be begrudgingly accepted by the natural ochre of the extending peatlands.
A number of factors are becoming clear that are are shaping this type of project although for once we can say it is not the weather! The number of artists involved, in combination with the available workspaces in a place as remote as Ballycroy can make the initial development of work feel a little disconnected. It is mainly as a result of the necessity for different artists to work where is appropriate be it the squash court, the visitors centre, back in ArtSquad or at home. And so it was great on Wednesday when most of the artists brought their work in progress to Ballycroy and we could all catch up over more of the most delicious hot soup provided by the very friendly and warm staff at the Ballycroy Community hall.
Post gobble, John Fox held an informal meeting whilst we fought over the chocolate biscuits which brought everyone up to speed with how the overall development of the site planning of the works was developing. It was an eye opener to look at the overall walking map of the walking trail of the national park and the amount and variety of art works that are scheduled. It is all too easy to get absorbed in one's own work and forget the overall picture and so to get everyone together, step back and see the whole event coming together was a welcome half hour, gathering momentum of the event in hand.
A few more artists I got to catch up with was Naomi Edwards and Hannah Fox from the Dead Good Guides who were stitching and hemming great colourful flags that will determine a sort of visual palette as the walk journeys through the different visual turns and experiences of the final event. Hannah will also be creating paper-cut dioramas that look at the idea of dwelling, home and the place of people in a landscape that can appear so initially inaccessible yet have so many stories to tell.
Breda Murphy is grappling great swathes of fabric to recreate the clothing of Daithi Ban, a mythical giant who would journey down from the mountains to the lowlands for a refreshing clean. Speaking of refreshing, I have still to catch up with Vanessa Daws who makes no qualms about jumping into an icy bog hole or winter lake. She has already completed a few swims in the local waters, documenting the viewpoint from a head camera and hydrophone which will be shown as a film or series of films.
This finally brings me on to 'The Rambling House' An evening of music, dance, wear your party gear, previews of some of the work such as Vanessa's 'chilling' footage and a general get together...all welcome, Ballycroy community hall, Wednesday 10 April. I currently have not got the exact times but will post them tomorrow when they are decided.
Naturally, the daily commute for many of the artists bites into valuable time, petrol and momentum so many thanks to the Mayo Arts office for providing accommodation for those who can avail. My bags are packed for the next 5 days and fingers crossed the sun keeps shining!
There is no amount of technology that can truly depict what it is like to be driving around Northwest Mayo when the sun shines. And I mean blue skies out of a film set and those purple hills that are now so clearer in the paintings of Paul Henry. Driving from Castlebar, I think AA Roadwatch should have a warning for such conditions as it is likely you will put your car in a ditch for the siren-like sparkles off the Atlantic sea. Then, just after Mulranny, a right turn takes you away from the coast and and towards the striking yet foreboding onset of remote mountains where dwellings become fewer, and the land becomes flatter, the emerging of small forests being obvious man made imports and seem to be begrudgingly accepted by the natural ochre of the extending peatlands.
A number of factors are becoming clear that are are shaping this type of project although for once we can say it is not the weather! The number of artists involved, in combination with the available workspaces in a place as remote as Ballycroy can make the initial development of work feel a little disconnected. It is mainly as a result of the necessity for different artists to work where is appropriate be it the squash court, the visitors centre, back in ArtSquad or at home. And so it was great on Wednesday when most of the artists brought their work in progress to Ballycroy and we could all catch up over more of the most delicious hot soup provided by the very friendly and warm staff at the Ballycroy Community hall.
Post gobble, John Fox held an informal meeting whilst we fought over the chocolate biscuits which brought everyone up to speed with how the overall development of the site planning of the works was developing. It was an eye opener to look at the overall walking map of the walking trail of the national park and the amount and variety of art works that are scheduled. It is all too easy to get absorbed in one's own work and forget the overall picture and so to get everyone together, step back and see the whole event coming together was a welcome half hour, gathering momentum of the event in hand.
A few more artists I got to catch up with was Naomi Edwards and Hannah Fox from the Dead Good Guides who were stitching and hemming great colourful flags that will determine a sort of visual palette as the walk journeys through the different visual turns and experiences of the final event. Hannah will also be creating paper-cut dioramas that look at the idea of dwelling, home and the place of people in a landscape that can appear so initially inaccessible yet have so many stories to tell.
Breda Murphy is grappling great swathes of fabric to recreate the clothing of Daithi Ban, a mythical giant who would journey down from the mountains to the lowlands for a refreshing clean. Speaking of refreshing, I have still to catch up with Vanessa Daws who makes no qualms about jumping into an icy bog hole or winter lake. She has already completed a few swims in the local waters, documenting the viewpoint from a head camera and hydrophone which will be shown as a film or series of films.
This finally brings me on to 'The Rambling House' An evening of music, dance, wear your party gear, previews of some of the work such as Vanessa's 'chilling' footage and a general get together...all welcome, Ballycroy community hall, Wednesday 10 April. I currently have not got the exact times but will post them tomorrow when they are decided.
Naturally, the daily commute for many of the artists bites into valuable time, petrol and momentum so many thanks to the Mayo Arts office for providing accommodation for those who can avail. My bags are packed for the next 5 days and fingers crossed the sun keeps shining!
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