Mermaid brings the arts online
THE team at Mermaid Arts Centre has been making plans to bring material to arts lovers digitally via ‘Mermaid Moments’.
Each Monday, they will be offering a digital cinema offering, thanks to their screening partner Access Cinema.
Treats to expect include arthouse cinema – both paid and free options, as well as interviews with artists and other items.
They will include material each week, available on all platforms, including the behind the scenes pages of their website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
‘ The physical doors of our arts centre may be closed but we are far from quiet and Mermaid is determined to meet these challenging times with positivity,’ said artistic director Niamh O’Donnell. ‘ The team has already embraced the virtual meeting room world to keep the wheels moving, whilst observing our social distancing.’
Niamh said that working from home, and being forced to be still, makes her more aware than ever how repetitive and mundane life can be.
‘What this kind of living gives me though is the realisation that the value of living has a lot less to do with being busy and active and so much more to do with awareness. Awareness of the mundane little things and an overwhelming awareness of the importance of people,’ she said.
Usually at this time of year, Mermaid would be announcing their Summer Season. Instead they find themselves cancelling over 74 events.
‘So many artists and creatives are struggling to make ends meet,’ said Niamh.
‘You, our valued audiences are missing from our centre. I have become so aware of just how much the gathering of people, audiences and artists, matters. I have realised just how vital both are to everything that we do. We are lost without you. We need your attention and your presence. To quote Simone Weil (philosopher) “Attention is the purest form of generosity” and Mermaid truly values your attention, it makes us complete. All of us in Mermaid wish you and your loved ones the very best. We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome you back.’
To keep abreast of ‘Mermaid Moments’ go to mermaidartscentre.ie.