We had a wonderful turnout at the opening of 'The Upset' Here are some photo's from the day:
The Upset took shape as a community organized arts event curated by
Harriet hosted in the town of Drumshanbo Co. Leitrim on the 30th
of June 2012 “The Upset” –our awareness and the freedom to express it-
took place in one of the empty units on the old Lairds site, behind
the Food Hub, in Drumshanbo. This exhibition started as an expression
of concern by some artists about the environment especially with the
threat of the gas industry making plans for a large scale gas extraction
project on our doorstep. The event had grown to a major exhibition
with over 70 artists, many well known, not just from Ireland, but from
USA, Mexico, Hong Kong and the UK exhibiting. The exhibition was open
for one week in July, with an all day Saturday Opening at
12pm (until 9.30pm) Showcasing an exciting mix of art; music; readings;
dance; film and workshops where through their different practices the
artists involved displayed their love and concern for the environment
and its future.
Video From the Opening Day
By Alexa Mc Dermot from Dublin's White Lady Art
One of the
highlights of the day was a dance drama by our local Irish dance school
run by my sisters Kathleen and Jemima based here in Leitrim. The dance
was introduced by a poem that told the story of the dance, below is the
video and a copy of the poems text
Dance Drama Entitled 'Frack Off':
The cockerel crows -- a sign of a new day,
the farm animals wake and begin to play.
The local farmer tends to his land,
and the postman drives by and shakes his hand.
Gives him his post and be's on his way,
as the farmer reads it he begins to sway.
The news of corruption,
a lack of respect,
and fracking on his door step he stops and reflects;
what was then, is not now, for ever thing has changed,
for worse not better,
things will never be the same.
Its time to take a stand,
hold our heads up high,
fight for our country,
not let this pass us by.
I'll gather the farmers and we'll fight till the end,
we will not be beaten,
with this we intend.
We'll show them we mean business,
they can take back their threats,
if they try to bribe us we'll knock it on the head.
If they want a fight, a fights what they'll get,
we'll stand tall together and prove this I bet.
Our mischievous sons will follow in our ways,
for these will be their farms soon some day.
We'll gather our placards, shout as load as we can,
till people take notice and understand what's the plan.
The land will be free to thrive once more,
the water -- drinkable -- clean and pure.
The animals will return and beauty restored,
for I am a farmer and its my farm I Adore.
