In Ireland literary deities hover over us like U.S. Presidents carved into Mount Rushmore. It is a stirring thought that it isn’t philosophers, engineers, scientists, painters or even composers that summoned the Irish nation and gave us international renown, but poets, novelists and playwrights. Yet conversely these looming presences barely register in contemporary discussions; just … Read more
It was the silence. The sound of total silence. A deep peaceful vibration carrying the bells from a church I never knew I could hear from this window. The acoustic of silence was able to carry it as if it was across the street, like an apartment in Paris or Vienna, but here in NYC … Read more
SIDE EFFECT So few cars on our Manhattan street Pigeons leaving nests that swirl between Highrise ledges, fearless land to eat Any mid-street grain or scrap they glean. Told to stay at home most acquiesce. Now we learn how unbeknownst we spare Our New York as we’re emitting less Long-lived greenhouse gases in the air. … Read more
‘Art is only a ‘substitute’ as long as the beauty of life is deficient’ (Piet Mondrian, ‘Pure Art and Pure Plastic Art’ (1937)).[i] My work notebooks are full of quotes I have written out similar to this. Looking through the notebooks I have made over the past twelve years I find I am drawn … Read more
Around 200 people gathered in front of Sligo City Hall this Friday afternoon. The majority of those attending were young, and they spoke about George Floyd, supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, but also raised questions about Direct Provision in Ireland. Photography Felipe Lopes
This drastic, clean-cut deprivation and our complete ignorance of what the future held in store, had taken us unawares; we were unable to react against the mute appeal of presences, still so clear and already so far, which haunted us daylong … The plague forced inactivity on them, limiting their movements to the same dull … Read more
Considered Silence An artist’s journey is one from noise to silence. In the beginning they need and want to be heard yet, at some point, silence will be required to stay sharp. They should never choose the sound of their own voice over the work. Staying quiet is not what artists are very … Read more
Pan’s Song Your rule has lapsed Apollo, all narrative is dead, You said true form is timeless, but they chose me instead, My pipe has no rhythm, but is easy on the ear, A great tumult rise in ecstasy, precisely as you feared, It’s true you had your time, But as samples, your’s is mine, … Read more