‘Rising’ will be located near the Grand Canal in Dublin this Autumn 2021 and will be created through creative engagement within communities in Dublin living close to the water. The process will begin with a participatory arts programme that will generate material on the topic and culminate in the major public artwork. The artists are interested in exploring the impact of local, human scale, grassroots engagement and responses to the often-overwhelming topics of climate change and climate action.

Dublin Theatre Festival commissioned Brokentalkers, a multi-award winning Dublin based theatre company and artists-in-residence with Trinity’s Grand Canal Innovation District project, to make the new public artwork, with support from Dublin City Council and Creative Ireland. In collaboration with creative studio Algorithm, the artwork will include the installation of a temporary digital display in a prominent location. The screen will display a series of texts developed in close collaboration with community participants around the topic of climate change. 

Willie White, Artistic Director & CEO of Dublin Theatre Festival says: 

“Dublin Theatre Festival is delighted to be collaborating with Brokentalkers and Algorithm on this public artwork that will explore the devastating impact of climate change and create a call to action for changed behaviour. In the past year we have all become more familiar with life inside our 5k and have a renewed appreciation of Ireland’s island status, which has highlighted the importance and solace of our surroundings. More than ever, Dublin Theatre Festival is determined to host the artistic conversations that will prepare us for a sustainable future.” 

Gary Keegan from Brokentalkers says:

“We passionately believe in the creative potential of every individual and are motivated by a belief in the power of the arts to enrich lives. Over the past decade, we have developed and honed a methodology for working with communities of place and interest to create original, award-winning, collaborative arts projects, and we look forward to working with the residents around Grand Canal Dock to create an exciting new work. The coming together of this residency with Trinity along with the opportunity to work with Dublin Theatre Festival provides a great opportunity to develop what we hope will be an inspiring and thought-provoking presentation”.

Prof Ciarán O’Neill, Community Liaison Officer in Trinity says:

“The new campus at Trinity East will have a significant focus on the development of solutions for a sustainable planet, through the new E3 (Engineering, Environment & Emerging Technologies) Research Institute. However, in addition to hosting science and technology researchers and industry, the campus will be a place for the arts and community engagement and events. This residency with Brokentalkers is an important initiative and we look forward to both the outcome and process.”