SEANCHAÍ
We are delighted to showcase three talented young artists – John Dam Crothers, Maya Todd and Emma Quin - and the fascinating new works made during their recent 4-month Home Residency at DAS. In Seanchaí an unknown future, nebulous present and fading past, cohabit with trepidatious but nostalgic, physical immateriality.
‘From Here to There’ by John Dam Crothers is a contemporary exploration of mythology, storytelling and the idea of home. This body of work draws inspiration from the story of Tír na nÓg (The Land of Everlasting Youth), folklore and traditional stained glass windows.
Using augmented reality, the artist invites viewers to reflect on their relationship with heritage, myths and mythology. By incorporating interactivity into the work, the audience is given the opportunity to experience the narrative in an order of their choosing.
In a time where oral storytelling is in decline, John’s work aims to create illustrative and inclusive experiences that enhance rather than replace traditional storytelling methods. Using augmented reality allows the story to appear anywhere, transforming ordinary spaces into extra-ordinary ones.
‘This Is Not a Chair’ by Maya Todd intricately challenges our perceptions of reality and the evolving role of craft in an increasingly digital landscape. Crafted from prompts drawn from the artist's memories, an artificially generated image of a chair materialises, blurring the boundaries between the tangible and the imagined.
In a world saturated with artificial intelligence and manipulated imagery, this work confronts the notion of truth and authenticity. Through the lens of craftsmanship and domesticity, the artist unveils a nuanced narrative where a chair transcends its physical form, becoming a reflection of memory, perception, and the uncertain trajectory of handmade artistry.
Crafted using a ‘hacked’ 1980s knitting machine, these panels merge old-world techniques with contemporary technology, seamlessly blending pixels into stitches and blurring the boundaries between the physical and the virtual.
‘Crash’ by Emma Quin is a multimedia work exploring the repercussions of the 2008 financial crash. Discussing the dual impact of the global economic crisis upon wider society and within the family unit, ‘Crash’ builds an understanding of what it was like to live through such a life-altering event, inspired by the sparse memory of the artist’s childhood. Despite millions losing their jobs, homes and livelihoods, the crash is an event that has slipped through the cracks in terms of archival material and artistic expression, something which Emma wished to rectify.
Thanks for catherine Rees and Simon Sweeney for lending their voices to this project.
Exhibition Opening: 2nd May ’24, 6-9pm
Exhibition runs: Tue-Thur, 8th - 30th May ‘24, 12-4pm.
