mapping spectral traces V
bodies - space - memory

Following on from the success of Mapping Spectral Traces IV International Conference, co-convened by Dr Nessa Cronin (Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway) and Dr Karen Till (Department of Geography, NUI Maynooth) in May 2011, we are delighted to announce that Mapping Spectral Traces V: Bodies – Space – Memory International Conference, Art Exhibition and Dance Festival will take place from 19-21 April 2012, Galway this year.

This International Conference, Exhibition and Dance Festival marks the continuing collaboration between Ómós Áite, based at the Centre for Irish Studies at NUI Galway, and the Space&Place Research Collaborative based at the Department of Geography, NUI Maynooth, and is one of a series of events organized by the Mapping Spectral Traces International Network to take place in 7 institutions across 5 countries in 2011-12. 

For this year’s series of events in April we are delighted that Galway Dancer in Residence, Ríonach Ní Néill, will curate the dance and site-specific performance elements of the Dancing Days Festival, to extend discussions of the role of traditional and contemporary dance forms in Irish culture and society today. We are also delighted to have Ómós Áite co-convenor, Tim Collins, part of the conference organising committee this year. A full conference programme is attached above.

Highlights of the conference include a talk by Dakota artist and community activist, Mona Smith, on landscapes of trauma and memory in Dakota culture, a talk by Professor Gerry Kearns (NUI Maynooth) on 'Catholic Body Memory', and a roundtable discussion panel on arts practice and academic research chaired by Dr Louis de Paor.

Associated highlights of Dancing Days include the premiere of Frame on Thursday 19 April, performed by Ríonach Ní Néill, and a contemporary re-visiting and re-awakening of the tradition of the Rambling House, Cuairteoireacht, with a site-specific performance event with artists, musicians and dancers at a mystery location on Saturday 21 April.

In particular, we would be delighted if you wished to join us at the joint launch of the conference and festival programme at 7pm, Thursday 19 April, Black Box Theatre, Galway.

All Mapping Spectral Traces V: Bodies-Space-Memory conference sessions are free and open to the public, and staff and students of NUI Galway are most welcome to attend all sessions. 

Tickets for Dancing Days start at Euro5 and can be purchased from the Town Hall Theatre http://www.tht.ie/

Conference Organising Committee
Tim Collins ( Ómós Áite, Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway)
Nessa Cronin ( Ómós Áite, Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway)
Ríonach Ní Néill (Galway Dancer in Residence)
Karen Till ( Space&Place, Department of Geography, NUI Maynooth)

This joint initiative is kindly supported by:

The Arts Council; Ealaín na Gaeltachta; The Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences; Ciotóg Dance Company; Parzival Productions; Vagabond Reviews; The Town Hall Theatre; Galway City Council; Galway County Council

in association with

Ómós Áite, Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway; The College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, NUI Galway; Community Knowledge Initiative, NUI Galway; Space&Place Research Collaborative, NUI Maynooth; Department of Geography, NUI Maynooth; Mapping Spectral Traces International Network; University of Dundee; PLaCE, University of West of England, Bristol; College of Design, University of Minnesota.

Conference Websites:

www.nuigalway.ie/research/centre_irish_studies/
www.geography.nuim.ie/research/space-place
http://www.ciotóg.ie/
http://www.mappingspectraltraces.org/

Conference Programme
Dancing Days Programme 

Galway Ghost Estate Comes to Life

'Dancing at the Ghost Estates,' Michael Seaver, Thursday, 19 April 2012, Irish Times on-line article:  http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2012/0419/1224314919876.html

'Galway Ghost Estate Comes to Life with Sean-Nos and Dance for One Night Only,' Lorna Siggins, Thursday 19 April 2012, Irish Times on-line article:  http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0419/1224314925677.html

’An Irishman’s Diary,’ Frank McNally, Thursday 19 April 2012, The Irish Times on-line article:  http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2012/0419/1224314924104.html

’Three Day Dance Festival and International Conference’, Declan Rooney, 18 April 2012, Galway Independent online:  http://galwayindependent.com/stories/item/1902/2012-16/Three-day-dance-festival-and-international-conference

Galway City Tribune, ’Three Day Festival Celebrates the Role of Dance in Irish Life,’ 13 April 2012, article available at: Galway News on-line: http://www.galwaynews.ie/25261-three-day-festival-celebrates-role-dance-irish-life

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