Screening of three films by The Dock's Artist in Residence David Smith

The Dock welcomes you to the première of a series of short films by artist David Smith on Saturday, February 25 at 2pm. The event will showcase three visual-arresting works, that were specially commissioned and created by the artist over the last three years, and this event includes the première of two of the films at this screening, Abhartach and Nemeton. David Smith is an artist-in-residence at The Dock and this screening will be followed by an artist talk, between David and the curator, Sarah Searson.

Each film delves into the world of Irish Mythology, with an ecological lens on the Irish landscape. David’s film, Nemeton or ‘Sacred Space’ draws on the meaning of the word, as places in the natural world where energies reside. These places are primarily situated in wooded groves and forested landscapes and the five chapters of the film explores the internal or mental spaces through the lens of mythology. Figurative imagery intersects with landscape and abstraction, in turn inspired by ‘80s music videos, the internal arts, Irish mythology with references to the history of art. The five musical compositions created by David for this film, provide the catalyst to suggest the central theme of ‘Chi’ or energy flow. 

In his film Eó Mughna’s Lament, the ancient guardian tree of Ireland is evoked, as Eó Mughna awakes - to observe our present relationship with trees and the natural world. The romantic dream clashes with the commercial, the societal, and the environmental realities in this eclectic fusion of photography and music. This cinematic work is inspired by the act of painting, soundtracks and mythology, with an evocation of the mysterious spirit held within the complex qualities of modern, rural Irish landscape.

The film, Abhartach, evokes the dark tale of a tyrannical warlord, who develops a taste for blood and cannot be killed, with music composed by Siobhán Cleary. In this otherworldly tale, the neighbouring Chieftain, Cathán, with the help of his wolfhound and a druid attempts to end the supernatural rampage of the Abhartach. Visually the film responds to the sonic soundscape created by Siobhán Cleary. As the warlord, Abhartach was known to lure his victims to their death by his harp playing - the Celtic equivalent of the mythical Sirens from Greco-Roman mythology. In this work, solo harpist, Úna Monaghan brings the Abhartach to life, as the film visually responds to Siobhán Cleary’s musical composition and begins to fragment and rupture as the linear narrative breaks down, pitching the work towards the elemental and the abstract, and references the horror genre in this experimental sonically-charged work. This screening is not recommended for children under the age of 12. Siobhán Cleary composed the music for Abhartach. The work was commissioned by The Dock and features Úna Monaghan in a solo harp performance. The screening at The Dock will be the première of this work.

Admission €8 with a €6 concessionary price. The admission fee includes a complementary tea or coffee. Tickets are available online at www.thedock.ie  or by contacting the box office at 0719650828.