Cattletrope
This work was developed for Feile na Tuaithe (festival of the countryside) held by the National Museum of Country Life on the grounds of Turlough House, Co Mayo. A general theme of home, identity and belonging was offered as a starting point for all participating artists to explore. Being from a farm background although not from Co Mayo, I considered my own sense of belonging to the countryside where I grew up and how i carry that identity with me. I had been looking at the idea of a form of kinetic animation that could be installed outside in the grounds and soon the idea of a large zoetrope developed. By incorporating the cattlefeeder, not only did it provide an ideal strucure to design and scale the zoetrope but it offered a less obtrusive solution for installing such a large piece.
Many thanks to Mick Smyth for his help and engineering expertise and to Willie Carson for his help also.