Photo Story from Hotel Ballymun

dublin | arts and media | news report

Wednesday April 04, 2007 19:51

by Paula Geraghty

mspgeraghty at yahoo dot ie

Art has no natural home.

Ballymun is undergoing a process of regeneration, like so many marginalised communities in Ireland.

Last Saturday a poetry slam reading was taking place in the Hotel Ballymun, I managed to get in. As a venue and a cultural space it's been booked out, so successful I was asked by an artist involved to hold off posting on Indymedia. I respected that wish.

I spoke to some of the residents, two were teachers, recognising each other from a training conference and both wanted to participate in the experience that was Hotel Ballymun. One woman knew the place quite well and wanted to say goodbye to a place with many memories. This was a part ritual and something which she never thought she would see in her lifetime. Clarke Tower's last cultural moment.

The 'hotel' was an incredible space. It begged the question why can't there be spaces of cultural imaginings and possibilities in every community. These spaces have been created as a result of regeneration have been fought for and won. Hotel Ballymun has been the product of at least 12 months collaboration with many different aspects of the local community.

Fergus Byrne led the show with a film showing of wrestling and danceopening up and inviting a conversation on physicality ,gender voyuerism and dance. The audience was invited to discuss, be part of the the creative process, rather than being excluded from it.
Beat poetry by Raven, humour by Theresa Lally, Clonakilty's Poet Dave Lordan , Noel Sweeney and Fintan O Higgins all gave their all, but an outstanding performance by Lisamarie Johnson, left one shook up. As the music of Q pop stayed behind in the room we headed back to the infamous lift to feel the descending rattle and hum. (c)