Saturday, 23 June 2012 | Milltown, County Kerry | Ireland

The official launch of  the collaboration between artist Pauline O’Connell and www.curator.ie takes place this weekend in Milltown, Co. Kerry. The project will be launched by arts minister Jimmy Deenihan T.D. in the community centre on Saturday. The event will involve a screening of the film, supporting documentation and a celebratory céilí or dance. It kicks off at 8pm.

‘Drawing the Water’ is a public art project by artist Pauline O’Connell. It was commissioned under the Per Cent for Art Scheme that is administered by the Arts Office of Kerry County Council. It was filmed by Ciarán Walsh in September, on location in Milltown and in a studio in Ballyheigue. Post production was managed by Ciarán Walsh.

‘Drawing the Water’ was inspired by ‘The Spout,’ a public water supply in the centre of the Milltown that was a focal point in the town as local people ‘drew’ fresh water on daily basis. O’Connell developed the piece over a year, collecting stories about ‘The Spout’ in schools and in the community.The film is a 5 minute short / artwork that deals with the tasks associated with collecting water. “It’s an intense reflection on the importance of water, the rhythm of the task of collecting it and the sensuous quality of washing by hand. It’s informed by all the conversations that Pauline has had with people in the town’” says Walsh who spent 3 days filming the artwork for O’Connell. The filming  involved performances by Thomas O’Sullivan of Milltown and Chiara Ghia.

Invitation: ‘Drawing the Water’     |     Information: Media Release