The Star, 2015

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Public Art Commissioned by FIND, Mayo County Council. 

With Special thanks to the Gavin families, Mary and Tony Fahy and Ernie Sweeney. 

 

One of Castlebar’s first Silent Cinemas, the Star Picture Palace, was located on the town’s Main St. from 1919 to 1923. Silent cinemas in the 1920’s featured local musicians who played improvised music to accompany the screenings of the films. I utilised the still existing space to create a piece of film work that pays homage to a local Pianist, Grace Delaney, who played in the cinema. A commissioned piece of original music by Grace’s great grand daughter Deirdre (Dee) Gavin, was written and performed. The original score references the 1918 Irish film ‘Knocknagow’, the first film that was screened in the Star Picture Palace. This revised merging of silent films and music intends to reference the local musicians that played here, and reflects the rich history and social traditions of Castlebar town. 

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Production stills courtesy Amanda Rice