In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic a core strand of Backwater’s 2021 artistic programme will examine humanity’s relationship with the natural world and take a closer look at ‘the human animal’ in this context. The Human Animal: A Personal View of the Human Species is a 1994 television documentary series written and presented by zoologist, ethologist and surrealist painter Desmond Morris. He described the series and accompanying book as “A study of human behaviour from a zoological perspective”. According to Morris this approach “[puts] us in our place as part of the scheme of nature on the planet earth”. He sees us as one animal amongst many. Read more.

Supported by Cork City Council Project Scheme and Arts Council of Ireland Project Award.

Events Schedule:

22-26 Feb: The Human Animal Screenings – Art Short – Online event – YouTube Links

1-5 Mar: Paul Carroll | Redd, featuring Chris Moody – Art Short – Online event

• Zoom event: Paul Carroll in conversation with Chris Moody. Wednesday 3 March, 6pm. For Zoom invitation email projects@backwaterartists.ie.

8-12 Mar: Helen O’Shea & ‘Natureculture reading’ – Art Short – Online event

• Zoom event: Helen O’Shea artist talk, Tuesday 9 March, 6pm. For Zoom invitation email projects@backwaterartists.ie.
• Zoom event: ‘Natureculture reading’ group’ discusses it dazzles me slowly by Rosie O’Reilly, Wednesday 10 March, 6pm. Read text in advance. For Zoom invitation email projects@backwaterartists.ie.

15-19 Mar: Carolyn Collier | In the making – Art Short – Online event

22 Mar-9 Apr: Carol Anne Connolly & Fiona Kelly | Below, and Time Between – Online event

9 Apr – 7 May: Katrīna Tračuma | Beasts

14 May – 16 Jul: The Human Animal | David Barrett, Lorraine Cooke, Stephen Doyle, Megan Eustace, Eileen Healy

10 Jun – 9 Jul: Padraic Barrett | The Engineering of Consent – Offsite event

30 Jul – 27 Aug: Beyond Survival | Eimearjean Mc Cormack, Lynn Marie Dennehy, Peter Nash, Hehir & Noonan. In association with Cork Printmakers. 

10 Sep – 8 Oct: Deirdre Frost

14 Oct–12 Nov: Helen Farrell | Fetter