Felsentor

Padraig Cunningham

Felsentor is a slow work, in that it invites the viewer to observe caves via the changing colours of day, the slight variations in tone and texture,the glimpse of swift or bat, the odd visitor passing through.

The German word ‘felsentor ‘translates to rock-gate and is the title of 1818 painting by German artist Karl Friedrich Schinkel. In this film, the structure of the cave as a gateway becomes apparent over time. It has parallels with thought, taking us from outward observation to inner world interpretation, and finds the slippages between the two. According to the artist, legend has it that Keash caves in Sligo have magical properties and act as a portal. Supposedly cows and people go missing by going to the end of a short passage where you will be transported to Oweynagat, (the cave of cats) which is the mythological entrance to the underworld, and which located in a ditch over 40 km away.

Running time: 22 minutes 30 seconds

Padraig Cunningham

Felsentor

Padraig Cunningham

Felsentor

Padraig Cunningham

Felsentor

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Padraig Cunningham

Padraig Cunningham’s work examines physical displacement in the environment. Within this dislocation, themes of loss and absence become apparent often centring on everyday places, their reinventing and questioning their status, usage, and how they have been altered to accommodate human engagement. Implied in this alteration is nostalgia, a longing for what has been lost. The open receptive nature of the work is an attendant to that absence.

Living Canvas

Living Canvas is a cultural initiative by IPUT which establishes new ways of exhibiting artworks in large scale outdoor installations in Dublin’s city centre.

Living Canvas