A month of silent moves

Throughout February, Ballina Arts Centre will be showcasing the results of an exciting disability arts project undertaken last year. A 30-minute film, Silent Moves, along with an accompanying visual art exhibition will be screened over a number of weeks at the venue.

Silent Moves, a film by Western Care’s Ridgepool Training Centre and Scannán Technologies working with visual artist Aideen Barry, was officially launched at Ballina Arts Centre at the end of last November in front of an invited audience. The response was emphatic, and the film was the subject of national press acclaim.

This month, the public will have a chance to see the half-hour long silent stop-motion animation film, which was shot entirely in Ballina and carries with it a strong message about disability.

Irish visual artist Aideen Barry along with her artist collaborators from Western Care’s Ridgepool Training Centre and the Scannán Technologies group have created a beautiful piece of film which melds together mime, music and movement with new greenscreen technologies and the latest animation techniques.

The film was shot on location around Ballina and features scenes taking place in the Ballina Manor Hotel, Heffernan’s Supermarket (Ardnaree) and the Tom Ruane Park, as well as on the streets and riverbank of the town. The film is also inspired by the classic silent movies of the 1930s, the era of Buster Keaton, Clara Bow and Charlie Chaplin, and the group worked with dancer and choreographer Emma O’Kane to perfect the techniques of movement which play a critical part in the overall success of the film.

The film was launched by Emily Logan, chief commissioner, Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission, in Ballina Arts Centre on November 28 last. On the night, a small ‘mini-orchestra’ performed a live musical accompaniment with the screening of the film.

As well as the film, Ballina Arts Centre will be presenting an exhibition – also called Silent Moves – in the gallery throughout February. The exhibition will be officially opened by Aideen Barry this evening (Friday, February 6) at 7.30 p.m. and will run until February 28. Admission is free. The gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday.

The film will be screened on February 11, 13, 18 and 20, with screenings at 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. on each of those evenings. Admission is free but booking is advised.

There will also be a schools’ screenings programme and opportunities for community groups to attend specially-arranged screenings and visits to the exhibition throughout the month.

For more information or to book a place at one of the screenings, contact Ballina Arts Centre on (096) 73593 or ballinaartcentre@eircom.net.