On ecstasy, courage and the grand gestures of human expression inspired by the poetic tragedy of life, A Year of the Heartdraws on musical traditions of Requiem from 13th century Franciscan ‘Kyrie’ to György Ligeti in the 1960s and visions of vast, uncanny worlds of stairways and portals. The artwork takes the spine and heart as choreographic starting points to expresses divine transcendence through dances of melancholic opulence. The project incorporates ambitious and conceptual stage design, developed in collaboration with a broad creative team.
The photos document two weeks of development and public presentations while in residency at Dance House, Dublin in March and June 2022. During the presentation in March, audience members were invited to dance to Ravel's Boleró; they are featured in a selection of photos from the event. Other images include scenographic designs by artists Mona Power and 1iing heaney. Also included are reference artworks The Taking of Christ by Caravaggio (1602) and Mary Magdalene as Melancholy (1622–1625) by Artemisia Gentileschi.
Photos of aerialist Georgina Cassels by Monika Palova, June 2022 and during an earlier development period by Emily Aoibheann, at Courthouse Arts Centre Tinahely. All other photos of Emily Aoibheann by Noel Shelley, March 2022.
Acknowledgements:
A Year of the Heart is conceived, written and choreographed by Emily Aoibheann.
Artistic team include aerialist Georgina Cassels; artist facilitator Abby Evans; scenographic design by Mona Power and 1iing heaney. Special thanks to Jane Hackett, Jessie Thompson and Noel Shelley for their creative contributions, enthusiasm and support.
This work is made possible through a residency award from Dance Ireland and financial support from Dublin Circus Project, Catalyst Award and Fingal County Council artist bursary. I would like to extend a special thanks to Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely for their ongoing support.
