February 2023
‘Healing Through Photography’ Conference to focus on seeing mental health through a different lens.
A two-day conference examining the use of photography to support mental health and wellbeing is to be held in Belfast from 3-4 April 2023. ‘Healing Through Photography’ will bring together academics, award-winning world-renowned photographers, students, mental health and wellbeing professionals as well as charities and community groups to examine and hear examples of the therapeutic benefits of photography.
Addressing key themes including memory and trauma, racism, body image, homelessness, workplace stress and class, the conference will share first-hand the work Belfast Exposed has been delivering in this field and hear from industry professionals from across the UK and Ireland. Particpants will gain an insight into inspirational, real-life stories, hearing from photographers, including Pulitzer Prize Winner Cathal McNaughton, acclaimed photographer Donovan Wylie, Professor and Socially Engaged Artist Anthony Luvera, Artist and Performer Heather Agyepong, and Artist Jack Moyse. Northern Ireland Mental Health Champion, Professor Siobhan O’Neill, David Cutler from the Baring Foundation, and Darren Ferguson from Beyond Skin will join the line up which also includes speaks from the fields of arts, academia, charity and disability. During the two-day conference, a series of workshops and walking events will take place.
Commenting on the first ‘Healing Through Photography’ Conference, Belfast Exposed Chief Executive, Deirdre Robb, said:
“Healing Through Photography’ is going to be a very special and fulfilling two-day event to be held in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter. We believe this event to be the first of its kind, providing an immense opportunity to bring discussions on share best practise on the benefits of photography to support mental health and wellbeing. Over two days the conference will provide attendees with the opportunity to engage with keynote speakers, experience 11 visual art exhibitions, participate in workshops and artist talks and take part in a number of events including an adventurous sunrise photoshoot on Cave Hill above the city, and a Maritime walk along the quays.
We are delighted with the support from Baring Foundation and our partners Victoria Square to make this conference a reality for so many,” Deirdre added.
David Cutler from the Baring Foundation who are the lead conference sponsor said;
“It is a privilege for the Baring Foundation to support this ground breaking event as part of our commitment to support the developing field of creativity by people with mental health problems.. For many years Belfast Exposed has been pioneering the capacity of photography to investigate, express and heal. This event will tell that story to an international audience.”
Held at the Metropolitan Art Centre (MAC), the conference, which is priced at £30 per day, or £50 for two-day attendees (early booking discount) will proved attendees with a creative experience, combined with events planned for local galleries and a number of street exhibitions including in partnership with Victoria Square and Belfast Harbour Commission at the Quays along the maritime mile.
Earlier this year, Victoria Square played host to over 120 attendees during a series of workshops in the shopping complex aimed at helping smartphone new and novice photographers discover new and exciting tricks for taking better photography capturing life through a different lens to secure that perfect image. As part of the conference, a new exhibition reflecting images captured will be hosted in Victoria Square during March and April 2023 to coincide with the shopping complex 15 year anniversary since opening.
Early bird tickets for the conference are available costing £50 for 2-day attendees, Belfast Exposed Healing Through Photography Conference | Northern Ireland (htpconference.com)
February 2023
Maiden Voyage Dance celebrates 21 years of dance with two new commissions.
Maiden Voyage Dance which is this year celebrating 21 years of commissioning and creating dance for theatre, public spaces and young and family audiences is set to return to the Belfast Children’s Festival in March this year with two brand new pieces of work. The artist-led dance company has announced haiku a new work for public spaces from acclaimed choreographer Erik Kaiel, and Line of Life a digital dance installation piece from local artist Clara Kerr.
Erik Kaiel creator of Festival favourites, Tetris and No Man is An Island has returned to Belfast to create haiku a new piece for public spaces.
The piece is an ode to friendship. Each one of us is trying to find our tribe where we can grow and be seen and accepted for who we are. Friendship unlocks a way of seeing and being in the world so we are more free to be ourselves. haiku celebrates small poetic moments as more powerful than grand gestures
For the piece Erik will work with existing Maiden Voyage dancers, and welcome new dancer Gerard who has joined the company having recently graduated from Northern School of Contemporary Dance.
Commenting on the new works, Erik said about the process of making 'haiku';
“The most interesting part of the creative process as a choreographer is when your ideas and who the performers are meet. I hadn't met Maeve, Gerard and Rosie before we began and the piece we have created together is rooted in their sense of self rather than them doing steps I ask them to do. There is a strong sense of the performers ownership of the piece, and we really see human beings expressing themselves fully which is what we should all feel able to do within our own friendships, family and community.”
Alongside haiku Maiden Voyage Dance has commissioned local artist Clara Kerr to create a solo piece ‘Line of Life’. Working with young people and adults, ‘Line of Life’ has taken this stimulus physical, emotional and life journeys are woven together and reflected on the unexpected pandemic interruption in all our lives it through a dance, music, digital and live interaction. The installation considers our many journeys through life with all its twists and turns from the places we live, the emotions we experience and the decisions we face as we move through life. As well as choreographing the piece, Clara will also perform it during the Festival.
Commenting on the two new commissions, Nicola Curry from Maiden Voyage Dance, said
“Bringing two brand new pieces to this year's Belfast Children’s Festival and celebrate our 21 years since our first production too is wonderful!
We are thrilled to support emerging artists such as Clara as well as invite established international artists to create work in Belfast also. We can’t wait to share these two distinct works with festival audiences. It is fantastic to continue and rekindle the very important local and international relationships with and within our industry to share excellence in dance thanks to funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and by Belfast City Council.”
Caoileann Curry-Thompson, Arts Development Officer for Drama and Dance, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said,
“Congratulations to Maiden Voyage Dance as they celebrate 21 years of creating high-quality dance for audiences in Northern Ireland and beyond, helping to bring great art to all. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to support Maiden Voyage Dance and look forward to experiencing these two new works to be performed at this year’s wonderful Belfast Children’s Festival, well done to all involved!”
haiku will be performed by Maiden Voyage Dance trio Maeve McGreevy, Gerard Headley and Rosie Mullin.
Audiences will have several opportunities to catch ‘haiku and Line of Life.
haiku will be shown free at The Ulster Museum, on the following dates and times;
- Sat 4 March 11:30am, 2pm
- Sun 5 March 11:30am, 2pm
And again at The MAC, Upper Gallery as follows
- Sat 11 March 3pm & 6pm.
Line of Life will be shown at the Factory @ MAC on the following dates and times;
- Sat 4 March 2pm, 4pm
- Sun 5 March 2pm, 4pm. Tickets £5.
For tickets visit www.youngatart.co.uk.