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The Linen Memorial is made from almost 400 [[Irish linen]] [[handkerchiefs]] listing almost 4000 names of those killed; it is an evolving installation that has taken many forms within the genres of [[public art]], [[textile arts]], performance and large-scale site-conscious, sculpture. The Memorial was conceived in 1999 after the artist exhibited at The Waterworks, Antrim Road, North Belfast in a 'site-interventionist' group sculpture show, called Seattle-Belfast Horsehead International. Subsequently, Lycia did research into the iconic Northern Ireland fabric of linen, at The Linen Museum<ref>[http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Irish-Linen-Centre-and-Lisburn-Museum-Lisburn-P2809 The Linen Museum] </ref>, Lisburn<ref>[http://www.lisburn.com/history/history_lisburn/the_linen_industry.html Lisburn (linen industry] </ref> and she also toured an dis-used flax scutching mill in the Northern Ireland countryside.
The Linen Memorial is made from almost 400 [[Irish linen]] [[handkerchiefs]] listing almost 4000 names of those killed; it is an evolving installation that has taken many forms within the genres of [[public art]], [[textile arts]], performance and large-scale site-conscious, sculpture. The Memorial was conceived in 1999 after the artist exhibited at The Waterworks, Antrim Road, North Belfast in a 'site-interventionist' group sculpture show, called Seattle-Belfast Horsehead International. Subsequently, Lycia did research into the iconic Northern Ireland fabric of linen, at The Linen Museum<ref>[http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Irish-Linen-Centre-and-Lisburn-Museum-Lisburn-P2809 The Linen Museum] </ref>, Lisburn<ref>[http://www.lisburn.com/history/history_lisburn/the_linen_industry.html Lisburn (linen industry] </ref> and she also toured an dis-used flax scutching mill in the Northern Ireland countryside.


The Memorial was first unveiled on September 7, 2001 in Washington state, USA, as part of an ecumenical project with the names list on printed handkerchiefs and a 'coffin' represented in compressed [[peat moss]] (Irish bog oak). The 2002 in [[Australia]] showing on [[The Day of the Dead]] included an interdisciplinary dimension in the memorial, featuring an original sonic-scape by [[Thomas Fitzgerald (composer)]]<ref>[http://wingsofmusic.net/ Thomas Fitzgerald's website] </ref>, which incorporated Kevin McFadden's Gaelic poetry, with oration by Anthony Stamboulieh<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0821810/ Anthony Stamboulieh IMDB] </ref>, and a performance with choreography by Elizabeth Cameron Dalman, OAM, and her [[Mirramu Dance Company]]<ref>[http://www.mirramu.com/ Mirramu Dance Company] </ref>. In 2004, the domestic textile arts element was introduced with hand-embroidery overtop the printed names on the Irish linen handkerchiefs. By 2009, over two hundred handkerchiefs have been sewn by 34 women and 1 man around the world. The hand embroidery (white-on-white) continues slowly day-by-day; one hour per name.
The Memorial was first unveiled on September 7, 2001 in Washington state, USA, as part of an ecumenical project with the names list on printed handkerchiefs and a 'coffin' represented in compressed [[peat moss]] (Irish bog oak). The 2002 in [[Australia]] showing on [[The Day of the Dead]] included an interdisciplinary dimension in the memorial, featuring an original sonic-scape by [[Thomas Fitzgerald (composer)]]<ref>[http://wingsofmusic.net/ Thomas Fitzgerald's website] </ref>, which incorporated Kevin McFadden's Gaelic poetry, with oration by Anthony Stamboulieh<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0821810/ Anthony Stamboulieh IMDB] </ref>, and a performance with choreography by Elizabeth Cameron Dalman, OAM, and her [[Mirramu Dance Company]]<ref>[http://www.mirramu.com/ Mirramu Dance Company] </ref>. In 2004, the domestic textile arts element was introduced with hand-embroidery overtop the printed names on the Irish linen handkerchiefs. By 2009, over two hundred handkerchiefs have been sewn by 36 women and 1 man around the world. The hand embroidery (white-on-white) continues slowly day-by-day; one hour per name.


The Linen Memorial was initially exhibited in Northern Ireland at the [[Corrymeela Community]]<ref>[http://www.corrymeela.org/ Corrymeela Community] </ref> Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in June 21st, 2007 and 2008, in recognition of the first [[Day of Private Reflection]] <ref>[http://www.dayofreflection.com/ HTR - Day of Private Reflection - Home]</ref>; both showings included a names reading, and in 2008, persons who so wished could pin a memento or token of remembrance, beside a name on a handkerchief. The Linen Memorial will be a feature at the Flax and Linen Biennale in Quebec in 2011, a USA tour is proposed. The memorial has also been blessed and photographed in Protestant and Catholic churches, N. America, including at the Canadian Memorial United Church and Centre for Peace<ref>[http://www.canadianmemorial.org/ Canadian Memorial United Church and Centre for Peace] </ref>, Vancouver.
The Linen Memorial was initially exhibited in Northern Ireland at the [[Corrymeela Community]]<ref>[http://www.corrymeela.org/ Corrymeela Community] </ref> Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in June 21st, 2007 and 2008, in recognition of the first [[Day of Private Reflection]] <ref>[http://www.dayofreflection.com/ HTR - Day of Private Reflection - Home]</ref>; both showings included a names reading, and in 2008, persons who so wished could pin a memento or token of remembrance, beside a name on a handkerchief. The Linen Memorial will be a feature at the Flax and Linen Biennale in Quebec in 2011, a USA tour is proposed. The memorial has also been blessed and photographed in Protestant and Catholic churches, N. America, including at the Canadian Memorial United Church and Centre for Peace<ref>[http://www.canadianmemorial.org/ Canadian Memorial United Church and Centre for Peace] </ref>, Vancouver.

Revision as of 00:23, 8 May 2009

Irish Linen Memorial Handkerchief
Irish Linen Memorial Handkerchief

The Linen Memorial[1], conceived and created in 2001 by sculptor Dr Lycia Danielle Trouton[2] and sponsored by Canada Council of the Arts as an ongoing site conscious *memorial installation which seeks to narrate the almost 4,000 deaths which took place during the fraught period in contemporary Northern Ireland, called 'The Troubles'. It is an alternative history which can be understood as a counter-monument: a non-hierarchical list of names of those killed; it creates a funerary record of the toll of human lives, seeking to pick, unpick and re thread a sense of the fragile, recuperative work involved in a community emerging from conflict.

The Linen Memorial is made from almost 400 Irish linen handkerchiefs listing almost 4000 names of those killed; it is an evolving installation that has taken many forms within the genres of public art, textile arts, performance and large-scale site-conscious, sculpture. The Memorial was conceived in 1999 after the artist exhibited at The Waterworks, Antrim Road, North Belfast in a 'site-interventionist' group sculpture show, called Seattle-Belfast Horsehead International. Subsequently, Lycia did research into the iconic Northern Ireland fabric of linen, at The Linen Museum[3], Lisburn[4] and she also toured an dis-used flax scutching mill in the Northern Ireland countryside.

The Memorial was first unveiled on September 7, 2001 in Washington state, USA, as part of an ecumenical project with the names list on printed handkerchiefs and a 'coffin' represented in compressed peat moss (Irish bog oak). The 2002 in Australia showing on The Day of the Dead included an interdisciplinary dimension in the memorial, featuring an original sonic-scape by Thomas Fitzgerald (composer)[5], which incorporated Kevin McFadden's Gaelic poetry, with oration by Anthony Stamboulieh[6], and a performance with choreography by Elizabeth Cameron Dalman, OAM, and her Mirramu Dance Company[7]. In 2004, the domestic textile arts element was introduced with hand-embroidery overtop the printed names on the Irish linen handkerchiefs. By 2009, over two hundred handkerchiefs have been sewn by 36 women and 1 man around the world. The hand embroidery (white-on-white) continues slowly day-by-day; one hour per name.

The Linen Memorial was initially exhibited in Northern Ireland at the Corrymeela Community[8] Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in June 21st, 2007 and 2008, in recognition of the first Day of Private Reflection [9]; both showings included a names reading, and in 2008, persons who so wished could pin a memento or token of remembrance, beside a name on a handkerchief. The Linen Memorial will be a feature at the Flax and Linen Biennale in Quebec in 2011, a USA tour is proposed. The memorial has also been blessed and photographed in Protestant and Catholic churches, N. America, including at the Canadian Memorial United Church and Centre for Peace[10], Vancouver.

Exhibition History

  • June 21 2008 - The Linen Memorial
    • The second Day of Private Reflection, Host organisation: Corrymeela Community of Peace and Reconciliation, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland
    • with a Names Reading
    • participating embroiderers: 35
  • June 5 - 15th 2008 - The Linen Hall Library exhibition
    • Groves Conference, USA, on Trauma, the Community and the Family
  • June 21 2007 - The Linen Memorial
    • The first Day of Private Reflection, Host organisation: Corrymeela Community of Peace and Reconciliation, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland
    • with a Names Reading
    • participating embroiderers: 20.
  • 2006 - Slide Presentation by Dr. Lycia Trouton
  • 2005 - The Irish Linen Memorial exhibition
    • Faculty Gallery, University of Wollongong[12], Australia
    • Silent viewing along with a personal installation called Make Do and Mend.
    • participating embroiderers: 5.This year Lycia, the artist, began sewing 'freckled spots' of human hair. This aspect has been written about by Textile Theorist Jessica Hemmings[13], PhD.
  • 2004 - Transformation of Tears: The Irish Linen Memorial
    • Canberra, ACT, Australia
    • Sponsored by The Canadian High Commission[14]
    • Canberra, ACT. opening by Revd. Dr. James Haire (who delivered a brief Ecumenical service and a speech about the history of linen and Irish migration)
    • Original score by Thomas Fitzgerald, sonic-surround.
    • participating embroiderer: Margot Damon (nee McGladdery)
    • Original choreography by Elizabeth Cameron Dalman, performance with 2 dancers on the theme of maiden, mother, crone with Mirramu Dance Company.
    • Embroidery by Margot Damon, 25 handkerchiefs, and tatting by Edith Morriot on 3 handkerchiefs, with an attachment of a lock of human hair.
  • 2002 - Horrific Hankies: The Irish Linen Memorial
    • Centre for Canadian-Australian Studies, Australia[15].
    • Launched by Dr. Gerry Turcotte from Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
    • Original score by Thomas Fitzgerald, Australian composer
    • Original choreography by Elizabeth Cameron Dalman, OAM, choreographer and pioneer modern and contemporary dancer, Australia.
  • 2002 - Unfolding Territories group exhibition
    • Fabric(ation)s of The Postcolonial: Text and Textiles conference
    • Launched by Janis Jefferies, Constance Howard Textiles Research Centre, Goldsmiths College of the University of London, U.K.
    • small-scale artwork of 3 handkerchiefs by Lycia Trouton
  • 2001 - Between Two Worlds: The Common Body, The Irish Linen Memorial
    • Group Exhibition called Natural Causes, curated by Cheryl Hahn
    • Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA, USA[16]
    • Opening Chanting for the Dead, September 6th.
    • Intercultural/Ecumenical service led by Korean Buddhist nun, Chong Do Sunim (formerly Geraldine Finegan).

References

  1. ^ The Linen Memorial website
  2. ^ Lycia Danielle Trouton website
  3. ^ The Linen Museum
  4. ^ Lisburn (linen industry
  5. ^ Thomas Fitzgerald's website
  6. ^ Anthony Stamboulieh IMDB
  7. ^ Mirramu Dance Company
  8. ^ Corrymeela Community
  9. ^ HTR - Day of Private Reflection - Home
  10. ^ Canadian Memorial United Church and Centre for Peace
  11. ^ Monique Van Nieuwland
  12. ^ University of Wollongong
  13. ^ Jessica Hemmings
  14. ^ The Canadian High Commission
  15. ^ Centre for Canadian-Australian Studies, Australia
  16. ^ Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA, USA
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