We are not all in the same boat, we are all in the same storm.

On Culture Night at 8pm, a powerful new collaborative piece of contemporary art will be launched online and on the outside of Rua Red South Dublin Arts Centre. Reset by artist/educator/activist Joe Caslin and a group of young people from South Dublin takes the form of a large-scale black and white drawing installed on the main wall of Rua Red facing The Square shopping Centre in Tallaght.

This installation is the second part of a collaboration between Caslin and the young people, which reflects their thoughts and fears as they have navigated their way through the last six months of the COVID19 pandemic. Reset’s online launch will feature a documentary film capturing the story of the project, the voices of the young people, and a series of music and spoken word performances from some of Ireland’s foremost artists.

‘This latest piece entitled ‘Reset’ charts the groups experience through the first six months of the pandemic. Creating times and spaces to reset ourselves creatively, emotionally, physically or spiritually during a crisis is a fundamental skill. The destructive consequences of not cultivating this skill should be apparent. Fostering and encouraging the capacity to reset in ourselves and within our communities can only serve to strengthen and collectively elevate us.’
– Joe Caslin

The artwork and film offer audiences an insight into the young people’s experiences of the pandemic, while also giving the people of South Dublin County a much needed uplifting cultural experience in what has been a very difficult year. Both works will serve as a reawakening of the arts in the area, which is visible to all as we begin to emerge out of this dark era into a new way of living and being.

Since June the project has attracted the attention of Aoife Woodlock (Music Producer Other Voices). Woodlock was so inspired by the work that she initiated a series of musical and spoken word interventions by artists Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Ailbhe Reddy and spoken word artist Sasha Terfous. The work has also inspired singer MayKay to write and release a new song that will be premiered in the lead up to Culture night. All of these responses will be featured as part of the new documentary short by Elton Mullally (Southpaw Productions) that will encapsulate the ethos of Caslin’s work through filmed conversations with the artists and the responses from the musicians. This convergence of ideas and mediums has created a new exciting dimension and additionality to the project.

This project is kindly supported by Dublin Port Company, the Creative Ireland Programme, South Dublin Arts Office and The Arts Council.

‘2020 has taught us all the importance of connection, be that with friends and family or through initiatives like Culture Night. I am delighted that Culture Night is taking place this year as it provides us with the opportunity to connect with each other and to appreciate and celebrate works like Joe Caslin’s project in Rua Red.’
–Mayor of South Dublin County, Cllr Ed O’Brien

‘Dublin Port Company recognises the importance of art in the community. Joe Caslin’s work with Rua Red is a wonderful project. Resilience and Reset are two perfect vehicles to connect both locally and nationally. Art has the ability to reach far corners. The location of Rua Red in Tallaght (The Mountains)
and the location of the Port (The Sea) book end the journey of the Liffey from the mountains to the sea at Dublin Port. We are delighted to support this project.’
–Charlie Murphy, Dublin Port Company

‘In June young people in Tallaght realised a stunning project for Cruinniú na nOg – Ireland’s national day of creative activities for young people. Working with Joe their huge art work powerfully evokes a stormy sea filled with different boats. The students spoke movingly about what it meant to them and their mental wellbeing to make this work during lockdown. They’re the best Ambassadors for our belief that doing creative things is good for you!’
–Tania Banotti, Creative Ireland Programme