Borrisokane Georgian mansion to host international performance art festival
Live Art Ireland formed two years ago, when artists Deej Fabyc and MJ Newell purchased a crumbling Georgian estate to establish a performance art residency and research centre.
And between July 14 and 16, in collaboration with Performance Art organisation Bbeyond, they are hosting Convergence, a three-day art festival held across North Tipperary
On Thursday, July 14, the Borrisokane reception centre will facilitate performance art workshops by internationally acclaimed artists Alastair Maclennan and Deej Fabyc. On Friday seven commissioned art performances curated by Deej Fabyc and Sandra Corrigan Breathnach are to be held at Milford House, performed by Analia Beltrani Janes, Beatrice Didier, Helana Walsh, Kane Stonestreet, Kelvin Atmadibrata, Olivia Hassett, and Veronica Pena. Pena is a Spanish artist, whose interdisciplinary practice explores migration policies and cross-cultural dialogue. Irish artist, academic, and activist Helena Walsh utilises her body in her live art practice to unravel histories of colonisation in relation to issues of gender and labour.
And on Saturday Convergence participants will hold a group performance on the village green in Cloughjordan. Bbeyond have been at the forefront of performance art in Ireland for 20 years, curating thousands of performances in their monthly meetings in car parks and other public places. Enacting the group's philosophy of ‘Art in life, Life in Art’, Bbeyond encourage newcomers to performance art that is improvisational with an emphasis on play and material to highlight the art in everyday life.
MANSION RESTORATION WORK
Most of the restoration work to Milford House has been done by Deej Fabyc and MJ Newell, and despite the dust and rubble, they have accommodated 12 artist residencies and curated two online video art festivals. Deej Fabyc says: “We want to repurpose this space to enable artists to reflect on their practice and to make great art work. I have great memories of artist residencies earlier in my career and I want to provide that architecture for other artists who are struggling to find space”.
MJ Newell says: “It’s the worst business idea of my generation - how to make performance art pay for a big house restoration. We are not after Trip Advisor reviews, but we are fascinated how artists take on or transcend such a coherent symbol of colonialism”. In their recent residency Irish artist Day Magee revolved a video artwork around a portrait of Countess Markievicz. Magee summoned their forefathers, who fought in the Irish War of Independence, asking if they embody the freedom he fought for.
For Live Art Ireland, the Convergence performance art festival brings together all their objectives, collaborating with other art organisations and community stakeholders to commission established and emerging artists, from both Ireland and abroad, and to bring a socially engaged art practice to community groups - and in particular to the public of rural Ireland.
Booking is essential: please book for the workshop at convergence@mail.com.
And for the IRL performances at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/convergence-live-art-ireland-bbeyond-2022-tickets-376813538437 - no admittance without a ticket.
Watch online at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/convergence-live-art-ireland-bbeyond-2022-tickets-379316615207
Any queries, please get in touch with Deej Fabyc and MJ Newell at live.art.ireland@gmail.com.
This project is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. This project has received funding as part of the Creative Ireland programme with support from Tipperary County Council.