EVA International 2016 Biennial Explores Post-Colonial Ireland Through Art
Running from 16 April to 17 July in Limerick City, EVA International 2016, under the direction of Koyo Kouoh, embraces the theme 'Still (the) Barbarians' to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising. This biennial seeks to spark political discourse through artistic expression, reflecting on Ireland's post-colonial reality. Deirdre Power and Softday are among the featured artists, having initiated a citizens' anthem contest, with the winning entry set to be performed by ice-cream vans on 24 April 2016. Jonathan Cummins showcases a film installation focused on IRA activists, while Tom Flanagan and Megs Morley explore the relationship between monuments and memory. John Waid's performance suggests postponing the Angelus Bell broadcast, and Liam Gillick presents films in a pub atmosphere. Kouoh addresses critiques of being excessively political to highlight post-colonial impacts.
Key facts
- EVA International 2016 runs from 16 April to 17 July 2016 in Limerick City
- Koyo Kouoh is the curator and founding artistic director of RAW Material Company in Dakar
- The theme 'Still (the) Barbarians' references C.P. Cavafy's poem 'Waiting for the Barbarians'
- The biennial coincides with the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising
- Deirdre Power and Softday's project involves a citizens' anthem competition with performance on 24 April 2016
- Jonathan Cummins' film installation includes works from 2004-2015 with IRA activists and families
- John Waid's performance proposes delaying the Angelus Bell by 25 minutes 21 seconds referencing time zone changes
- Liam Gillick's project uses a pub setting for a film festival where participants describe films from memory
Entities
Artists
- Koyo Kouoh
- Deirdre Power
- Sean Taylor
- Mikael Fernström
- Jonathan Cummins
- Tom Flanagan
- Megs Morley
- John Waid
- Liam Gillick
- C.P. Cavafy
- Walter Mignolo
Institutions
- RAW Material Company
- EVA International
- ArtReview
- RTÉ
- Portlaoise Prison
Locations
- Dakar
- Senegal
- Limerick City
- Ireland
- County Laois
- Galway
- Belfast