Micheál O'Connell / Mocksim 2019

Micheál O’Connell / Mocksim
1 July to 31 August 2019

In the past O’Connell’s work has been presented in project spaces, and established locations such as Matt’s Gallery and The Whitechapel (in London), Lighthouse (in Brighton, UK) and Wandesford Quay Gallery (Cork). Contra-Invention, a critically acclaimed exhibition of utilitarian photographs (the pictures captured by traffic wardens as proof of parking violation in many areas) had been invited to Les Rencontres Internationales de la Photographie d’Arles and nominated for the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize. Prominent photographer, Martin Parr, amongst others, is a fan of his work. Recently, and partly to support the residency at Uillinn, O’Connell was awarded a substantial Arts Council, Develop Your Creative Practice (DYCP), grant.

During the residency period, though participating actively in the cultural life of the area, O’Connell stated that he was determined ‘not to be seduced by the bucolic, the charms of the west Cork landscape, the Atlantic and so on’ but to maintain focus on his technological interests. By definition for him, this extends beyond the digital network and the algorithmic, to the ubiquitous heavier physical machinery, commercial and entertainment infrastructure. Technology of all sorts, he points out, is no less a factor is rural locations than urban ones.

Whilst in Skibbereen O’Connell also forged links with artists, organisations and others in the area. He opened his studio to visitors and found low-tech ways of remotely communicating with passers-by when away, conducted an artist’s talk in the final weeks, and participated in the Skibbereen Arts Festival. Cork artist John Halpin was invited to work on more specialist photogrammetry techniques, and many different kinds of experiments were carried out using readily available platforms and tools such as Sansar, Chrome Remote Access, Skype and TripAdviser. In addition, efforts were made to use the time at Uillinn to resolve ongoing projects, one of which involved sending money flowing unnecessarily between bank accounts, in a loop, daily, using standing orders.

WCAC acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council and Cork County Council in making these residencies possible.