Cork 2005/Mary Leland: Blood sweat and tears might be the key-note to the Granary's Bodily Functions programme introduced last week by Anne Seagrave's presentation of Jamais Vu, but Granary director Tony McLeane-Fay promised more to come with the inauguration of a new professional company based at the university theatre and dedicated to live art events.
"Cork has lots of drama, dance, visual arts, music - I'm trying to bridge the gap between them all by promoting this under-represented art form," says McLeane-Fay, who has also organised residencies plus a September symposium on live art. In fact, it was while making arrangements for that gathering that his chosen contributors offered to perform as well, with the result that he was able to formulate the series of events which will continue at the Granary from May through to December.
Boosted by the cooperation of the Backwater Arts Centre this is not for the faint-hearted. It will feature Aine Phillips, Aideen Barry (once with an enormous wheel for "whatgoesaroundcomesaround" and once with the transformation of the bird sanctuary at The Lough for "Storm Reader") , Alastair MacLennan, Amanda Coogan, Andre Stitt and Franko B.
This last performer is probably the most visceral, in that his work - as described in this instance - incorporates painting with blood, insertion of canal needles, nudity (in "Aktion 893" participants - that is, the audience - must undress in a private space for their one-on-one appointment with the fully-clothed performer) and aspects of human suffering.
While "straight" drama and student work will continue at the Granary, McLeane-Fay has decided to use the theatre grant from UCC to form what is so far an eight-member core group of professional choreographers, musicians, actors and artists presenting more of the above, as well as text-driven material, and beginning with Re-Productions in July.
There are other excitements, not least the visit of the Tokyo Ensemble with Lost in a Flurry of Cherry Blossoms and, in collaboration with Triskel Arts Centre, the summer school and performances by Chicago's Goat Island company in June. (Details from 021-4272002 or e-mail annluttrell@triskelartscentre.com)
It looks as if the Libeskind Pavilion will be open to the public on the front lawn at Fota House at the end of March, largely thanks to the decision of the Office of Public Works to get involved. Meeting half the cost of about €160,000, the OPW sees the famed architect's exercise in portable architecture as a very exciting prospect. Plans are going ahead for possibly two further engagements, one of which will be a sculpture exhibition, again, probably, at Fota and involving what a spokesman described as "an element of recycling".
