Little Interview
Every month we ask the same set of cultural questions to one of our artistic, academic or civic collaborators.
Over the last number of years, we have interviewed diverse members of the Glucksman community - artists, academics, staff members, guests, audiences and workshop participants. The responses are funny, inspiring, revealing and always a great read.
This month, we hear from artist Eilis O'Connell, whose solo show HAPPENSTANCE is currently on display here in the Glucksman.
What are you reading?
I've just finished Ian McEwan's "What We Can Know" and I have mixed feelings about it; I saw than an interview with him about it and I think that was more interesting than the book itself. I'm almost finished Clare Keegan's “Antartica”, a book of short stories which is just brilliant. Each story unfolds like a movie and I love the way she suddenly twists things almost like the way a Hitchcock film might end.
Favourite museum?
The Museum of Natural History in London, I can spend whole days there. My favourite part is the geology section, where you can see every form and colour on earth and a huge meteorite.
Best performance?
"The Cave”, a multi media Opera by Steve Reich and the video artist Beverly Korot. I saw it in the mid 90s at the South Bank Centre in London. It was the most powerful work that I have ever experienced and is even more poignant today with the genocide in Gaza as it's about the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, believed to be the burial place of Abraham and Sarah. It is a sacred palace where Muslims, Jews and Christians pray. Recordings of Palestinians, Israelis and Americans are used and their texts were typed on screens and the rhythm of the typing formed the base for the singing and music. Its hard to describe
Most treasured possession? My house in Kerry.
Work(s) of art that inspire you? So many, I saw some amazing public sculptures in Japan and on the island of Naomishma over Christmas. In Tokyo I came across a beautiful stone sculpture in Roppongi by Martin Puryear who is one of my favourite sculptors, and lots of beautiful Kan Yasudas in so many locations in the city. I also saw a great piece by Do Ho Sue at the New Museum on the Benesse Art Site, Noashima.
A lightbulb moment?
A roof light lets 60 % more light into space than a vertical window. The phrase, “consolidate what you have".
Guilty pleasure? Lorge salted caramel chocolates.
What would you like to be doing right now? I would like it to be summer and be swimming at the White Strand with my friends.