Coming.......
‘The Gate or The Disk of The Sun Will Turn to The Disk of The Moon and Our Children Sold For Silver’ 2024 Royal Hibernian Academy Dublin
‘The Gate, or the disk of the sun will turn to the disk of the moon and our children sold for silver’, is a public call to action. It is second in a trilogy of exhibitions as part of a major collaboration between the artist and experts in climate and neuroscience from Trinity College Dublin. The climate emergency, global political landscape and effects of late-stage capitalism proves we are living in a time of compounding crises. This collaborative and interdisciplinary project with Rhonda Mc Govern from the Trinity Centre for Environmental Humanities and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Clare Kelly form the Trinity Institute of Neurosciences, has arisen from a collective understanding that behavioural change in response to these issues can and must happen. We have the power to change the world and “we are hardwired to collaborate”, Dr. Clare Kelly, 2021.
The exhibition title is taken from the “Astronomical Diaries and related texts of Babylonia’’, which contain translations of cuneiform script inscribed upon ancient Babylonian clay tablets. Described as “an ancient historian’s dream [… with] data that are reliable and securely anchored in an absolute chronology', there are over 15,000 individual weather-related observations recorded from 652 to 61 BCE. The Astronomical Diaries provide intriguing descriptions of events in which ‘The disk of the sun looked like the moon’, indicating the presence of a volcanic dust veil in ancient Babylon. The title is an adaptation of this text and acts as a warning to humanity to bring about effective change. It implores us to pass through this metaphysical gate and save ourselves from annihilation.
Borrowing from Fritz Lang’s ‘Metropolis’, the exhibition begins with a cinematic re-enactment of ‘The Eternal Gardens’ scene. A monolithic volcano behaves not only as an artistic representation of Mc Governs scientific research, but acts as a time bomb, heralding imminent catastrophe. This scenography depicts the current state of things. Istar re-emerges, in the second of this trilogy of exhibitions, and rides the snake headed dragon. An intricately woven soundscape and collaboration between poet Annemarie Ni Chuireann, vocalist Sue Rynhart and composer Moritz Fasbinder, guides us through the space. During each live performance, ‘Mother Earth’ is keening through her grief while witnessing the unfolding devastation. Performing nymphs lure us towards, ‘The Gate’, a metaphorical rite of passage birthing us into a new age. Into a mycelium utopia within which we co-exist and thrive in a new world order.
Trinity Long Room Hub: Humanities Talk Series
TRINITY LONG ROOM HUB: HUMANITIES TALKS SERIES
CLIMATE, CULTURE, AND THE BRAIN:
fostering behaviour and system change through storytelling, art, and culture
3 - 5pm, Thurs. 16th February, Trinity Long Room Hub, Trinity College Dublin
Artist Celina Muldoon will present this major ongoing, interdisciplinary collaboration with Trinity researchers, Dr Clare Kelly, Associate Professor in the School of Psychology and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, and Rhonda McGovern, PhD Candidate in the School of Histories and Humanities and Trinity Centre for Environmental Humanities.
This research project arose from a desire to understand the development of identity in the brain with a specific focus on ‘narrative identity’ - the idea that our identities are "story-shaped." In the course of this collaborative research, we found our attention and creative and scientific energies repeatedly drawn back to the climate and ecological crisis that is rapidly unfolding around us. What emerged in response to this dilemma was a confluence of perspectives - historical, neuroscientific, and artistic - on the centrality of stories to our understanding of the crisis, our role in it, and what we can do about it.
As part of our public engagement events, we invite you to join a discussion of our ongoing collaboration in The Trinity Long Room Hub. Through a short set of talks, we will explore how collaborative and interdisciplinary research and, more broadly, how art and culture can cultivate, empower, and propagate diverse stories and methods of storytelling aimed at stimulating behaviour and system change.
Celina will open the discussion by introducing her research practice which involves investigating identity, memory and surveillance through socio-political structures and the body. She will present her recent multi-disciplinary exhibition ‘Kurnugia NOW!’, which was presented in The Dock, Carrick on Shannon in 2022, as the first part of a story to be told in three parts in response to this collaborative project.
Clare will talk about our brains' affinity for information that comes in narrative form, and how the stories we tell - and the stories we're told - shape how we understand ourselves, our role in the climate and biodiversity crisis, and the possibilities for action.
Rhonda will speak about her journey into the realm of climate communication, finding common ground, and storytelling, which led her to this project. She will follow that up with a little story on the climate of Ancient Babylon.
The event will end with a Q&A panel discussion. We hope you'll come join the conversation!
International Residencies ‘22 -’23
Celina is delighted to announce that she has been awarded a place on three prestigious international residencies. Firstly she will be travelling to Reykiavik, Iceland to take part in the SIM Residency there this December. She will then travel to Paris for a C.C.I. Residency in Spring ‘23 and finally to the I.S.C.P. New York in Summer ‘23.
The Dock Autumn ‘22
Celina will present the first iteration of her major interdisciplinary collaborative research project with Dr. Clare Kelly of the School of Neuroscience and Rhonda Mc Govern of the Centre for Climate Humanities in Trinity College Dublin. Celina will be taking over The Dock Galleries, as the first Artist to be awarded such space in the centre, and will present a stunning exhibition of Live Performance, Moving Image and Installation.
Exhibition Information:
This solo exhibition by Celina Muldoon is the first iteration of a major research project and collaboration with TCD, comprising of installation, sculpture, live performance, film and public events, curated by Ruth Carroll.
Since 2020, the artist has been collaborating with Dr. Clare Kelly of Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and School of Psychology, TCD. Together they explored the development of identity and, in particular, the concept of ‘narrative identity’ and its development at multiple and intersecting levels of understanding: collective/societal, individual, and at the level of the brain and its development across the lifespan. In tandem, Muldoon has been expanding her practice to explore moving image techniques with production company Sixbetween. The intention of the project is to explore experimental performance and film techniques best suited to disseminating the research findings.
What has arisen from this collaborative research is the need to examine the recurring links between climate change and anxiety and how the effects of these influences shape the development of our identity and our understanding of ourselves in relation to time and place in the brain.
In particular, they have been investigating the relationship between narrative identity and behavioural change and how we might bring about behavioural change with respect to the climate and our environment by accessing, drawing out, and exploring people’s narrative identities. This has led to a combined collaboration with Dr. Francis Ludlow and Ph.D. candidate Rhonda McGovern of the Trinity Centre for Environmental Humanities in the School of Histories and Humanities, TCD.
Celina Muldoon is an artist based in the North West of Ireland. She has exhibited both nationally and internationally in Bushwick Studios New York, Cyberarts Gallery, Boston and with Craw festival, Berlin. Her major multi-disciplinary work 'SIRENS' was funded by the Next Generation Award and the Artist in the Community Scheme Award from the Arts Council.
Selected exhibitions include 'Untitled' for Live Collision International Live Art Festival, Dublin 2018, 'SIRENS III' solo exhibition in Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin, 2019 and 'SIRENS IV' for Futures: Series 3; Episode 3, RHA, Dublin, 2019.
Funding Awards include The Visual Arts Bursary Award in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Her practice was selected by the Arts Council in partnership with Pallas Projects and Studios for the Commission Award in 2020. She has been awarded numerous prestigious residencies and has been invited as Artist in Residence in VISUAL Carlow for 2021 and 2022. Muldoon will be taking part in the SIM residency in Iceland in 2022, CCI, Paris in Spring 2023 and ICSP, New York in Summer 2023.
To accompany this exhibition, the artist along with her collaborators have developed a publication which documents the interdisciplinary collaborative research project to date. The publication includes an introduction by the artist, three essays composed by Dr Clare Kelly, Rhonda McGovern and Dr Áine Phillips. They are written with the expertise of each author, in their respective fields, in response to and in collaboration with Kurnugia NOW!
Agility Award R3
Celina is delighted to receive the Agility Award
Turas - Group Exhibition
Celina will present new work as part of the group exhibition ‘Turas’ in the R.C.C. Letterkenny. The exhibition includes work by Dorothy Cross, Ursula Burke, Sarah Lewtas and Anthony Haughey
Arts Council Bursary Award R1 2021
Celina has been awarded the Visual Arts Bursary Award R1 from the Arts council for her interdisciplinary research project
Arts Council Commission Award - Pallas Projects//Studios
Celina has been commissioned by the Arts Council in Partnership with Pallas Projects and Studios Dublin to collaborate on major Art project with communities in Dublin 8. The culmination of this collaboration will be a major Live Art event taking place in sites around Dublin City in May 2021
Visual Carlow - Artist in Residence
Celina will be undertaking an Artist in Residency in Visual Carlow. She will explore new techniques in projection and test work as part of her collaborative research project with Trinity College Dublin and Sixbetween London
Arts Council Bursary Award R1 2020
Celina has been awarded the Visual Arts Bursary Award R1, for a major collaborative research project with Trinity College Dublin
Drawing Box International- travelling exhibition - curated by Diane Henshaw
Group exhibition of works on paper, Mumbai India
Arts Council of Ireland Purchase of work
The Arts Council of Ireland have purchased one of Celina’s ‘SIRENS’ (2019) series of works on paper. ‘Razorhead’ is now in The Arts Council Collection
N I N E - Artist Collective
Arising from the Covid 19 pandemic Celina and the group of artist’s Susan Connolly, Laura Mc Cafferty, Lizzie Kinsella, Helen G Blake, Jane Fogarty and Stephanie Mc Gowan set up a collective called ‘N I N E’. Together they explore materiality and new ways of presenting work through online and physical platforms.
Current and Ongoing research
Trinity College Dublin Collaborative research
Celina is collaborating with associate professor Clare Kelly of the the dept. of neuroscience in T.C.D. Together they are researching the development of identity in the brain. Celina is disseminating this research through film and performance. She will be delivering a series of talks as part of the neurohumanities programme in Trinity’s Long Room Hub. Celina is also collaborating with SIXbetween (London) to develop a major Film and Performance project in response to this research. This research phase has been funded by the Arts Council of Ireland Round 1 Bursary Award.
Temple Bar Gallery + Studios; Creative Generations Programme: A.I.R.
Artist in Residence in St. Vincents National School D.3. Eight week project funded by The Central Bank of Ireland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WeyHkS-aIE&t=20s
Three exhibition openings
‘SIRENS IV’, Futures Series III, Episode III, RHA Gallery Dublin
‘SIRENS’, works on paper, ‘SILVER’, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, group exhibition, 25th Anniversary
‘Orphan’ Publication and group exhibition, Pallas Projects/Studios, curated by James Merrigan
CHILD NAMING CEREMONY - Artist collective - Live Performance
Celina Muldoon, Austin Hearne, Ella Bertillsson, Michelle Hall and Fran O’Dwyer will present a live performance in Studio 6 in Temple Bar Gallery and Studios 0ct. 2019
Fomorian (working title)
Current research projects include investigating pre-christian races that are historically linked to the North west of Ireland. I am exploring this in relation to identity, legacy and contemporary notions of acceptance, belonging and youth sub-cultures existing today. I am interested in exploring a possible re-merging of historical cultural traits as a way of repatriating the landscape.
I live in a border community between the North and South of Ireland. Using my location as site and context I am investigating the complexities of living within fringe territories. I am exploring the historical and cultural heritage of this particular area in relation to our sense of identity and place. Through my performance led practice I am researching collaborative methodologies best suited to creating a body of work using site as context.
Further development of this research includes engaging with experts in Irish History and anthropology, with specific reference to folklore. I intend to collaborate with experienced performance practitioners by participating in international and national residencies.
I am currently working with an Arts Group around the potential for delivering this project as a major Live Art event in 2020.
Artist in the Community Scheme
Other projects involve partnership with Connect Mental Health, to highlight issues around health and well being through Arts participation. I am currently collaborating with young people from the Neighbourhood Youth Project (NYP) in Donegal, as part of the Artist in the Community scheme. We are exploring themes of identity, isolation and surveillance, with the intention of co-producing a new body of work for an exhibition. I have been investigating ways to expand this research to include other organisations that offer support to young people, both nationally and internationally. I have engaged with an organisation with a view to creating an ambitious live art co-production. This organisation offers guidance and support on mental health awareness to young people nationwide.
Cowhouse Residency
This November, I will take part in the Satellite Artists Residency in Cowhouse Studios, as part of ‘The Mothership Project'.
Artist Collective
I am a member of a newly formed collective which includes some of Ireland’s most dynamic emerging artists; Michelle Hall, Austin Hearne, Ella Bertilsson, Ulla Juske and Fran Dwyer. Meeting bi-monthly in Dublin and in Donegal we are exploring a secret research project. Upcoming launch to be announced
VAN Visual Artist News Sheet- Sept/Oct Issue
I was invited to write a column about receiving the Next Generation Bursary Award last Yea. In the column I discuss the opportunities and research that has arisen from receiving the award so early in my career.
‘ROOM’ CAPP International meeting, Dublin June 2018
‘grace’ New Performance debut as part of CAPP.
Live Collision International Live Art Festival 2018
‘Untitled’ Live Installation Performance in Project Arts Centre, Dublin.
Mobius International Live Art Festival Boston 2017
Celina's graduate work 'We are in cahoot's...you and I' has been selected for screening for Mobilize Live International Performance festival: Performance Art in Ireland which takes place in Cyberarts Gallery September 29th - 30th in Boston. Amanda Coogan, Aine Phillips, Siobhan Mullen Wolfe, Fergus Byrne and Alastair Mc Lennan will be included.
Next Generation Bursary Award
I was awarded the Next Generation award 2017 and research culminating from that is part of the Fomorian project.
Artist in the Community Scheme Award
I have been awarded the AIC and will introduce my practice in partnership with Connect Mental Health through a series of workshops to Young People from the Neighbourhood Youth Project in Ballyshannon Co. Donegal.
Dublin Live Art Festival
DLAF Seminar series, The Complex, August 19th
Live Performance, DLAF opening with Livestock at The Complex August 17th
MART Residency
Since graduating in June 2106 Celina has worked on collaborative projects through a cultural dialogues residency in MART which culminated in a Live performance event in MART Gallery. Shehas taken part in a group show of four artists in The Complex last October and two group show's in Glasgow. In May 2017 Celina created a site specific Live Installation - Performance in Temple Bar Gallery and Studios.
NCAD GRADUATE SHOW
Muldoon has recently completed an MFA in Sculpture and expanded practice in the National college of Art and Design, Dublin. We are in cahoots...You and I, a multi-media installation of her work, was unveiled at the Graduate exhibition on June 18th @ 101-103 James st. Dublin.
Project Statement:
Raucous; Explicit; Rambunctious; Gut wrenching; Side splitting; yet climactically perplexing; Seducing the audience into intoxicating live performance...
We are in cahoots...you and I
Muldoon investigates relationships between socio-political structures and the body. Rooted in performance, her practice spans live work, documentation of its products and traces and the representation of these in other forms. Gender, abjection and ritual are themes around which Muldoon creates her exquisitely adorned alter egos. Mischievously toying with domestic role playing through the re-enactment of mythological narratives. Questioning perpetuated notions of everyday life. Engaging the viewer as participant and as witness.
Recently..........
NO MORE FUN AND GAMES Jesse Jones, Hugh Lane, 2016
Muldoon is a member of the feminist collective curated by Jesse Jones as part of the parasite institute in the Hugh Lane Gallery. The collective responded to the representation of women artists in the Gallery. Gathering on Saturdays in gallery 2, the group discussed issues around patriarchy and unconscious bias within cultural institutions.The exhibition continues until June DATE.
5.5.5...5, Inma Pavon, Firkin Crane, Cork, 2016
Having performed with Inma Pavon in I'll Sing You A Song From Around The Town (see below), Muldoon and Pavon had become firm friends. Inma is currently completing a phd in Performance and Dance. She is a lecturer in Dance at Crawford college. At the core of her investigation is the element of Chance. Muldoon was asked by Pavon to take part in a series of responses that would be presented in the Firkin Crane gallery, Cork. A group of fifteen visual artist's, performers and musician's where invited to respond to an image taken from Cecil Beaton's Chinese Journal. Separately each produced work around this image which was then presented simultaneously in one of five spaces. The chance element was further explored by asking the audience to pick a number out of a hat. The no., between 1 and 5, determined which room they could view. It was fascinating my piece worked so well with the two other pieces in our space. Muldoon created a collaborative performance piece.
I'll sing you a song from around the town Amanda Coogan, R.H.A, 2015
Last October Muldoon performed live with the inimitable Coogan for her mid-career retrospective 'I'll sing you a song from around the town' in the R.H.A. Over five days, five hours a day, She performed 'Bubble Up In Blue' (2013).