an casadh

Artist Laura Ní Fhlaibhín’s biosculptural installation and performance an casadh (the turn) unfolds at Elizabeth Fort this Cork Midsummer festival as a living installation of sculptural wormeries activated by the artist in her performance rituals tae na bpéist that consider the historical significance of the site as a women’s convict depot. an casadh explores kinship, ritual and nourishment, considering how we are implicated in conditions that are at once sustaining and precarious. 

This radio show is a sonic survey of the project’s development. It explores composting, interspecies care, biodiversity and soil health, illness, desire, and disgust to turn towards a deeper engagement with what it means to live and care within the shifting, squishy, and often alien terrains of our shared world.

Featuring readings of texts by Laura Ní Fhlaibhín, Beulah Ezeugo, Laura Fitzgerald and Emily Steer along with interview excerpts from Dr. Fidelma Butler and Dr. Israel Ikoyi of University College Cork’s School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, an interview with Aisling Kett of Soil Savers, TEST SITE, and a commissioned soundscape of worm field recordings by musician Ruairí De Búrca.  

an casadh is curated by Katie O’Grady with curatorial assistance from Julie Landers and has been commissioned by The Glucksman in partnership with Cork Midsummer. This project is funded by a project award from the Arts Council of Ireland. 

Visit an casadh at Elizabeth Fort for Cork Midsummer Festival, June 13th to 20th , 10am to 5pm.