Please see Irish version of this article here. On Thursday, 19th September, The Depot @ The Complex came alive with the immersive launch of the 'Say A Song' project. Renowned musician and presenter Doireann Ní Ghlacáin hosted a carousel of music, talks, art and short films to launch the multimedia exhibition. The project invites people to explore sean-nós singing in a modern Irish context.
The stage was set with a roundtable discussion featuring a diverse range of some of Ireland's top artists, musicians and poets who explained their contributions to the project. The backdrop to this was a large screen that played a different short film in between each discussion. Each film re-imagined a sean-nós song through visuals, song, spoken word, poetry or soundscapes. Themes explored in the discussions and videos included police brutality, racism, love and relationships.
Beyond the discussion and film screenings, attendees had the chance to visit a pop-up gallery featuring fine art inspired by the sean-nós tradition. Artists presented evocative pieces that visually represented these age-old songs, offering a fresh perspective on this cultural heritage. The gallery, open before and after the main stage event, allowed the audience to reflect on the intersection of tradition and modernity.
In the venue’s entryway, copies of the accompanying book, ‘Say A Song Project – Retellings from the Oral Tradition, Athinsint ón bhFilíocht Bhéil’, were on display. This collection provides further insight into the project, offering written retellings of sean-nós songs in both Irish and English.
The sold-out event was a resounding success, drawing a crowd of Irish cultural icons and enthusiasts eager to celebrate the reinterpretation of sean-nós in 2024.
This project was funded by The Arts Council and supported by Powers Whiskey who provided complimentary cocktails at the bar.
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