Clare Langan: The Human Flock

In 2017, Lismore Castle Arts presented a new film work by Clare Langan, 'The Human Flock', which opened on August 5th and continued until October 1st, 2017 at St Carthage Hall.

We are living at a critical moment in time, with major political, economic and ecological shifts and crisis, and The Human Flock shines a light on the fragility of humankind and the planet. The film sees a group of people navigate their way through an abyss of black water and fog. Somewhere between this world and elsewhere this emotive work looks at isolation and alienation of the individual, conflict and strife, and the need for connection and unity. The film equally suggests some form of underworld while having deep resonances with our contemporary lives.

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. She 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, and toured 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 Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin.

Her films and photographs are in a number of international public and private collections including The Irish Museum of Modern Art, The Arts Council of Ireland, The Office of Public Works, the Tony Podesta Private Collection, Washington, and the Hugo and Carla Brown Collection, UK. The Floating World had its world premiere at the prestigious KINO DER KUNST 2013, Munich. Jury members included Cindy Sherman, Isaac Julien, Amira Casar, Defne Ayas and Heinz Peter Schwerfel. The film was awarded the Prix Videoformes 2014 | Conseil Général du Puy de Dôme at VIDEOFORMES 2014, Clermont-Ferrand, France.

Clare Langan had collaborated again with choreographer Maria Nilsson Waller, with cinematographer Robbie Ryan and editor Adam Finch. Performers: Justine Cooper, Kevin Coquelard, Rachel Donnelly, Sarah Ryan, Maria Nilsson Waller and Richard Walsh. The film was funded by the Arts Council of Ireland and produced by Edwina Forkin of Zanzibar films. Music composed by Linda Buckley and Irene Buckley. Art Director Anna Rackard. Costume Designer – Judith Williams.

Lismore Castle Arts is kindly supported by The Arts Council.