A unique light display is set to illuminate Malin Head and the River Foyle for one night in October.
9th October will see the staging of the ‘SEARCHLIGHT’ project in Inishowen. The project engaged with refugee and migrant communities to reflect on the concept of borders at a local and international level.
The theme of the upcoming display on 9th October is surveillance that is visible and invisible. SEARCHLIGHT culminates in a large-scale nocturnal event at Banbas Crown, Malin Head, Ireland’s most northernly point, at 6.45 – 7.15pm. It will use a specifically commissioned helicopter equipped with a searchlight to fill the skies in a light projection event, which illuminates the aeronautical border line in the River Foyle, where connotations of their use in surveillance still remain.
SEARCHLIGHT also engages innovative broadcast technology, to develop new language around border demarcation. HOME-LAND (Albalad Alam), a collaborative soundwork was produced by participants, which echoes the Arabic call to prayer in music performed by the Syrian Ex-Pat Philharmonic Orchestra.
During the display, HOME-LAND (Albalad Alam) will emanate from the Look-Out Posts at Malin Head. Just on dusk at (6.45 pm) the (artist-team) will use radio broadcast to communicate with the helicopter pilot. This live event will create a form of visual choreography with light. The pilot will be instructed to fly in a northerly direction on a route along the now (EU) international border line in the River Foyle. When the helicopter reaches Bambas Crown, it will drop to (500 ft) and hover in designated areas to cast beams of light across the sky. This nocturnal event will signal the end of light on that day.
SEARCHLIGHT was based on testimonies gathered from Syrian, Iraqi, Kurdish, Sudanese, Palestinian, Roma (migrants/refugees) and the Traveller community. It was developed in collaboration with the Donegal Intercultural Platform and Donegal Refugee Resettlement project.
Audiences will be able to look up to the sky to view the work from designated areas, at Malin Head, it will also be visible to cross-border communities along the River Foyle. There will also be live streaming of this event on social media channels, to attract new audiences nationally and internationally.
In keeping with current (COVID-19) guidelines a maximum of (200) attendees can book to attend this live-event, pre-booking is essential. For booking /enquiries please contact Kate O’Callaghan, Event Co-Ordinator.
TEL- 086 6094275
EMAIL- kathryn.ocallaghan@gmail.com
COLLABORATORS:
Inishowen Development Partnership Francine Blanche Breen, (Donegal Intercultural Platform/ Donegal Travellers project), Fadl Mustapha, Eyad Meshael, (Resettlement Support Workers), Changemakers, Malin Head Community Association, Glengad Community Association, Culdaff Community Association, Greencastle Community Association, Maritime Museum Greencastle, Binevenagh-Causeway Coast &Glens Heritage Trust, Executive Helicopters, Charter Service, Galway.
