The Irish visual arts community gathered at the Áras Mhic Dhiarmada reception building in Dublin's Busáras this week to celebrate our upcoming involvement in the 26th Bienal de Sao Paulo, the world's second-largest arts festival, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith
Over the course of the evening, painter Stephen Loughman, sound artist Dennis McNulty and filmmakers the Desperate Optimists showcased their works to the crowd, which included the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O'Donoghue.
"Even though they're working in different mediums, all the artists who are going over share common ground," said the programme's Irish commissioner, Valerie Connor. "They're all interested in popular culture and urban experience and it's important for people from other countries to see Irish life in that way." The Desperate Optimists' short film, Civic Life: Moore Street, received lots of attention from the gathered crowd. A five and a half minute production, shot at 3 a.m. on a typical Dublin street, it highlights the changes taking place in Ireland and the range of emotions people face when adapting to a new life in another country. "It's a very left-field piece. You're either going to love it or throw it in the bin," admitted Joe Lawlor, who made the film with his partner, Christine Molloy. "Night-time is about private thoughts so it's basically a love story to somebody who didn't make it to Ireland from somebody who did and wished they could be here."
The festival will also show nine paintings by the artist Stephen Loughman, who works in oils and acrylics and exhibits regularly at the Kevin Kavanagh Gallery in Dublin. Although the paintings should be seen as a visual essay, he feels Irrevocable - an image of a gun against a grey backdrop - is a powerful image on its own. "I just wanted to make it almost like still life but with violent implications. The title, Irrevocable, gives a sense of loss, so from it you can extend from the idea of the gun lying static to when it is put into action and the ramifications of a violent act."
The evening came to a close with Dennis McNulty performing the first instalment of his live sound work, http://alpha60.info, the second part of which takes place in Sao Paulo during the festival.
The Sao Paulo festival runs from September 25th to December 19th.