River
River is a moving image video installation originally commissioned by Maynooth University of Ireland as a permanent artwork for The Eolas Building.
It consists of a river shot in extreme slow motion, where every droplet is visible, and moves dramatically across the three LCD synchronized screens.
They create a sense of tranquillity in the spaces they inhabit, as well as depicting the power and drama of this natural resource of water. It is a counterpoint to the technological focus of the building, bringing technology and nature together in order to create a point of balance. As well as slowing down the pace of the fast moving campus, the movement of water also represents the constant movement forward of life, and of the university. As well as the calming and cantering effects of nature, it also references the effects on the subconscious tapping into the centre of our creativity.
In River, water appears slowed down in filming process, creating pieces that initially resemble reality, but create an illusion of time and perception. The slowed down effect makes what we see as a perceived image into something that is both visually and subconsciously arresting. It is capturing something that the eye cannot see in ‘real time’. Given the stylistic quality of the filming in River, it also resembles ‘moving’ paintings.
Clare Langan
Clare Langan studied Fine Art at the National College of Art and Design, Dublin and with a Fulbright Scholarship, completed a film workshop at NYU. In 2017 she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts from The National University of Ireland. In 2019 she became a member of Aosdana. She has exhibited extensively nationally and internationally, and has represented Ireland in numerous international Biennales, including the 25th Bienal de Sao Paulo, 2002 Brazil; The Liverpool Biennial - International 2002, Tate Liverpool: Sounds and Visions, Art Film and Video from Europe, 2009, Museum of Modern Art, Tel Aviv; Singapore Biennial 2008, curated by Fumio Nanjo touring to Dojima River Biennale 2009, Osaka Japan; Busan Biennale 2010, South Korea. In 2003 Langan presented A Film Trilogy at MoMA in New York and at the RHA, Dublin.
