The ISACS Network is pleased to present the selected artist for the 2022 edition of the ISACS and Áras Éanna Ionad Ealaíne Residency for ISACS Artists.
This is our third residency since 2019, and we are enthusiastic to bring back to life this excellent opportunity for our artists to live for one month on the Island of Inis Oírr, Co. Galway.
The selected artists to participate in the 1-month Artistic Residency on the beautiful Island of Inis Oírr, Co. Galway are Darragh McLoughlin & Sophia Kurmann (and Loki).
About Darragh
Darragh is currently based between Berlin and West Cork and is touring his 3rd piece: “STICKMAN” and ‘For As Long As We’re Here’ – a durational circus concept performed by a collective of 9 artists. Besides these two main projects, Darragh is writing a piece of short fiction, developing installation works around food and sensuality, exploring improvised game concepts, continuing to research and develop his movement practice and last but not least: exploring the art of fatherhood.
Since 2012 he has taught at different professional institutions around Europe (FLIC [IT], ACAPA [NL], Die Etage [DE]), and has been awarded artistic residencies in over 14 countries, and has performed in Europe, Asia, and South America. He has played in theatres such as Theatre de la Ville in Paris, The Barbican in London, Theatre de la Abida in Madrid and Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin.
I will use the residency to develop my work ‘Stories of Falling Objects’. This project is a curious meeting point between my circus practice – that of all things related to object manipulation – and the visual arts. In this new practice I make quick drawings by holding a pen/brush/marker to paper while balancing an object on my hand. The movement created by balancing the object is then documented on the paper. I am currently focusing the series on finding new objects (branches, sticks, stones, tools) which I am able to balance, and see if a particular aesthetic or meaningful form emerges from these objects. I will take advantage of the unique landscape and history of the island to discover new and old objects. With each found object I will go on to create a series of drawings which will contribute to creating a large body of work which will expand over the coming years.
I will come with my partner and 1 year old boy. My partner will act as a dramaturg, and advisor to my process, and my son will act as a spirit of chaos, distraction and joy. It will be my son’s first time in contact with the Irish language. I will also use my son as an object which I can balance and make a drawing out of. I have always dreamed of living on a small island. Until now my experience of Island life is limited to camping on Rabbit Island in West Cork alone in silence for 4 days. There I found a lot of space in my mind to think and be removed from the constant hussle and bussle of a city – which I hope to find again on Inis Oírr!
At the end of the residency I hope to present a full exhibition of the works at Áras Éanna which will include a selection of exceptional drawings made during the month. I will also present a live demonstration of the technique by creating some new pieces for the visiting audience.
About Sophia
Sophia is a circus practitioner, creative producer and productivity hacker. She was born in Munich in 1991 and before becoming distracted by college and adulthood, was an avid football player in the German Bundesliga.
In 2017 she founded PerformYourArt, a platform to represent and give visibility to artists. She is one of the co-founders of The Palace Collective, a diverse international artistic community.
She is currently based in Berlin and represents several circus companies such as Squarehead Productions, Kaaos Kamos, and Critical Mess.