12 November – 5th December 2021
Everything comes from something else, nothing exists by itself.
With imposed limitations on our movement, the ongoing Covid Pandemic has had an overwhelming impact on our way of life. Forced to exist within close family, communities and localities, an increased contact between humans and the environment has been one of the most positive responses to the pandemic, from both an ecological and mental health perspective.
Many of us fortunate enough to live in areas where lockdown restrictions still permitted outdoor activities turned to enjoy the beauty of rivers, mountains, urban green spaces and forests. The return to homegrown produce re-emerged and observations of the intricate cycles of nature became more apparent with a new opportunity to slow down. The essence of our limited ‘freedom’ also identified a new way of addressing what constitutes real freedom as we moved further to our inner space, thoughts and imagination.
The work draws on the philosophy of Buddhism and Deep Ecology, looking more in depth into the actual reality of humanity’s relationship within the natural world. The exhibition is presented as photographic and video work, recorded during the lockdowns of Spring 2020 and 2021. Photographic panels merge landscapes and rivers, human form and trees, representing our interconnectedness within the ecosystem. A short meditative film projection with immersive sound designed by Pedro Rebelo invites the viewer to share the stillness and flow of the natural world.
The exhibition title references a pivotal piece of writing by the mother of environmentalism, Rachel Carson. In 1964, Carson foretold of a future where we would experience a silent spring, where no birdsong would be heard because ecosystems risked being eradicated as an effect of the human overuse of DDT and pesticides.
As we emerge from eighteen months of experiencing a global reduction of human activity, a spring without voices became one, not as Carson had foretold, but one where birdsong replaced human voices. The very audible sounds of nature emerged louder and clearer, because of the lack of air and land traffic. The birds were having their ‘Silent Spring’ with little human interruption.
Silent Spring is a meditative offering/invitation to come and be present. It is a distillation of recorded space, sound and stillness – a chance to contemplate the questions: where do we go next, as individuals, as a community and society? Do we return to the speed of life before restrictions were imposed? Have we been offered this pause in our existence to reflect and recognise our place in the deep ecology of the planet?
At this pivotal moment in time, a greater understanding of the concept of a web of life where every organism, including humans, is interconnected is vital if we are to continue our existence
A chance to move forward at a new pace, and find flow.
‘If humankind poisons nature, nature will poison humankind’
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Bio
Geraldine Timlin is a visual artist living and working in Donegal. Her work explores aspects of Deep Ecology and our interconnectedness with the natural environment. She uses photography and film to document the creative investigation of environments and space, creating a visual narrative of place and being.
She has exhibited with the Royal Ulster Academy, Belfast; RCC Letterkenny, North 55 and throughout Ireland. She currently works in Special Education in Co Donegal supporting individuals with Special Needs, and is founder of the Avant Garden, a creative space for nurturing creativity and exploring the natural environment. Her work is held in the collection of the OPW Ireland, and privately in Spain, England, Northern Ireland and Italy.
Pedro Rebelo (who created the sound for the exhibition) is a composer, sound artist and performer working across socially engaged sonic arts, immersive listening experiences and chamber music with electronics. He is Professor of Sonic Arts at Queens University, Belfast and Director of the Sonic Arts Research Centre.
