Bringing together urgent conversations, original music and moving image, The Quickening by Deirdre O’Mahony responds to issues in farming, food production and consumption in the face of the current ecological and climate crises. The lyrics of the libretto were developed by the artist and writer Joanna Walsh, drawing on recorded conversations between farmers, scientists and politicians at feasts hosted as part of the artist’s earlier project Sustainment Experiments. Performed by Irish musicians, and featuring field recordings gathered on farms in the South West, The Quickening presents a polyvocal response to the most urgent questions affecting land and its inhabitants, giving voice to the invisible protagonists that shape our earth’s future. The Quickening was commissioned by The Douglas Hyde Gallery of Contemporary Art in 2024 and traveled to community spaces and farms across the South-East of Ireland in a in the Walls & Halls tour.
The Learning and Engagement programme at the DHG included an Eat Food Policy Workshop; a Resource Pack for second level students and teachers; Creative Labs by artist Alisha Doody and researcher Gabrial Coleman; an online game by writer Joanna Walsh as well as an In Conversation with the Gallery Director Dr Georgina Jackson.
Producers: Georgina Jackson & Éilis Lavelle; Music: Michelle Doyle, Branwen Kavanagh, Siobhán Kavanagh, Ultan O’ Brien, and Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin. Cinematographer & Drone: Tom Flanagan; Additional Cinematographer: Saskia Vermeulen. Sound Recordist and post production : John Brennan; Edit and post-production: Michael Higgins.
Commissioned and supported by The Douglas Hyde Gallery of Contemporary Art.
Project research and development was funded by The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon through Project & Bursary Awards.
