The Cloudlands National Tour by Helium Arts invites audiences into the creative lives of teenagers in hospital. Themes of alternate realities, escape and hidden stories are revealed through two distinct pieces of artwork, developed by artists Rachel Tynan and Eszter Némethi with teenagers in Temple Street Children’s University Hospital and Cork University Hospital. Cloudlands is touring to arts venues and hospitals across Ireland in 2016 and will open at Galway Arts Centre and University Hospital Galway on 4 March.
The ‘Titans’, developed by artist Rachel Tynan and teenagers in Temple Street, is an interactive installation formed through a family of beautiful wooden figures. As the figures are moved into different combinations, they reveal sound recordings of the teenagers’ stories. From a Star Lady who heals, to a transforming cheeky Faun, the ‘Titans’ uncover another world that sheds light on the characters and their lives. The ‘Titans’ will tour to arts venues.
‘Radio/Silence’, developed by artist Eszter Némethi and teenagers in Cork University Hospital, is an interactive radio game that alters the hospital environment for the listener. Using mobile phones, listeners can help the characters save the world from an evil doctor intent on spreading silence. This piece will tour to teenagers in hospital and will also be available to access through participating galleries in documentary form.
‘In Cloudlands I’ve kind of learnt that you don’t have to be just one person, you could be anything.’ – 14 year old participant on the Cloudlands project
The Cloudlands project was developed by Helium Arts, the children’s arts and health organisation, as an artist residency programme connecting artists with teenagers in hospital through collaborative projects. Running since 2013, the project has been specifically designed for teenagers who have to endure long hospital stays, often in wards with much younger children and with little creative stimulation. Through the Cloudlands tour, new audiences both within and beyond the hospital will discover the imaginative worlds of teenagers in hospital.
The Cloudlands National Tour will be launched in Galway Arts Centre on Friday 4 March 2016 at 6pm and all are welcome. The tour continues from March to June 2016 in arts venues and hospitals in Waterford, Cork and Dublin. Cloudlands will be accompanied by a series of free events for artists, schools and medical students at participating arts venues. For tour information visit www.helium.ie
2016 PUBLIC TOUR DATES
Galway | Galway Arts Centre, 4-19 March 2016
Waterford | Garter Lane Arts Centre, 31 March - 9 April 2016
Cork | The Atrium, Cork City Hall, 22-28 April 2016
Dublin | ArtBox Gallery, 19 May - 2 June 2016
The Cloudlands National Tour is funded by an Arts Council of Ireland Touring and Dissemination of Work Award.
