Notes on Blank Canvas residency at Firkin Crane, Cork City, Ireland

September 7, 2011  | Karen  | 3 Comments  | General

I am on my last leg of a three week Blank Canvas residency. When I first arrived it felt lonely – now I am savoring the moments. The staff at Firkin Crane are so gracious and helpful.  I soon felt at home.  The studio I chose is small and quirky, but what it makes up for in size  is the quality of the room. It has asymmetrical white walls, Marley floor and three gorgeous arched windows. The windows inspired new material. I took time to video the windows and the changing light throughout the day and along with sound score by Boris Billier, a site specific sound artist from Paris, a new beginning is in the works. I had an interesting challenge setting up the room, creating a white corner, blacking out the windows, and figuring out where to place my projections and body for my own going work, “Ouette.” I continually find nuances in the movement and video images – will I ever be able to call it finished?

I am sharing the artist residency house with Sun Wei. Sun Wei has written 13 novels and several novelettes. She is from Shanghai. Cork City is a sister city to Shanghai. She received a residency award from the Munster Literature Centre in Cork City.

Gastronomically I have been to heaven and hell. I discovered the English Market, similar to the Chelsea Market but more. A number of butcher stalls carrying fresh meats including tripe, homemade sausages and spiced beef. The fish section carried finnan haddie, which is difficult to find in the States. The cheese is to die for. My favorite was the Irish varieties of soft and hard goats cheese. And, even though this is Ireland– homemade tomato, pesto and puttanesca sauce, pasta, olives, pickled garlic, sundried tomatoes and bufalino were in abundance.   But, I warn you all, do not eat drisheen. A horrible sausage made of pigs blood, milk and grain. It is Corks’ answer to blood pudding. I like blood pudding, but this stuff OMG. Murphy beer is Cork’s answer to Guiness and mighty delicious. Can’t beat a beer and listen to Triad music.

On the weekend the studios are closed and I took advantage of going on excursions. I had a wonderful weekend in Dublin. Met up with Laurie Uprichard, who was finishing up her third year as Artistic Director of the Dublin Dance Festival. New York City will be happy to have her back.  She took me to Howth, a seaside town just outside of Dublin. Back in Dublin she recommended an amazing production by Pan Pan Theatre Company of Beckett’s “All That Fall” at the Project Arts Centre. I also took an old fashion bus tour to the Ring of Kerry, absolutely gorgeous unspoilt rolling hills of small farms, cows, sheep, peat and lakes.   The village of Kinsley with its natural harbor is also a must see.

To round up my residency I will have a showing on my last day. So needless to say, I am motivated. Nothing like a showing to help you focus.