On The TownImages that interpret the 18 chapters of Ulysses were unveiled at the James Joyce Centre in Dublin this week. The works, by artist Shane Clyne, are one of the final celebratory events to mark the centenary of Bloomsday. The show, entitled parallel, parallax, also forms the basis of a limited- edition desk-top calendar.
"He has approached Joyce in this sequential way, responding to the changing tempo and character . . . and he has succeeded. I think his response is extremely successful and provocative," said Brian Lalor, editor of The Encyclopaedia of Ireland, which was last year awarded the Association of American University Presses Award for the best reference work in the humanities, and the American Library Journal Award.
Each chapter of Ulysses is written in a different style, explained David Butler, education officer at the centre. He cited chapter seven, 'Aeolus', as an example. This is set in a newspaper office and is written as a newspaper, he said. Clyne has made use of the Freeman's Journal of June 16th, 1904, to help illustrate it.
The final chapter, 'Penelope', which takes place on a bed, is a monologue with four full stops.
"I wanted to create the idea of a bed, and there's a glimmer of hope at the end," said Clyne. "The full stops are represented by the four colours."
Among those at the opening were Helen Monaghan, director of the centre; Terrence and Eileen Clyne, the artist's parents; his brother, scriptwriter Terry Clyne; and his sister, Orla Clyne, of Enterprise Ireland.
Also present were Allegra Lalor, daughter of the lexicographer; Aiden Grennelle, creative director of Image Now, with Anne Marie Ridge; artist Claire Kirk and her partner, writer Brendan O'Beirne.
parallel, parallax runs at the James Joyce Centre, 35 North Great Georges Street, Dublin 1, until January 31st. The 18-month calendar costs €20 from the centre's bookshop or from www.jamesjoyce.ie