Lecture Four: The Artist and Arts Practice Research

I am delighted to announce that dance artist and choreographer, Dr Mary Nunan will give the final Lime Lecture of 2013. Mary is the Course Director of the MA in Contemporary Dance Performance at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in UL and her lecture will focus on the artist as educator within the field of Arts Practice Research. 

The lecture takes place on December 9th at 7pm in T1.15.  All are welcome.


Abstract:

This lecture will focus on what I perceive to be the challenges and opportunities that the newly emerging field of Arts Practice research presents for artists/scholars (and also for third level institutions). As part of the presentation I will highlight some of the issues that cluster around the role and function of writing and its relationship with practice in this research context. In so doing I will draw on my experience of guiding MA Contemporary Dance Performance students through the process of devising original (solo) choreographies. Selected case studies will serve to highlight some of the methodological and pedagogical aspects of this process.

Brief Biography:

Dr Mary Nunan is a contemporary dance artist - choreographer and performer. She is Course Director of the MA in Contemporary Dance Performance at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, UL. Her career as a professional dance artist began when she joined Dublin Contemporary Dance Theatre (1981-86). She was founder Artistic Director of Daghdha Dance Company (1988-1999). Throughout her career Mary has created a substantial body of solo and ensemble choreographies that have been performed in theatres nationally and internationally. Mary was a member of the Arts Council/an Chomhairle Ealaíon from 2003-2008. She was Chair of the Arts and Education Special Committee whose recommendations were published in the ‘Points of Alignments’ report. Mary was awarded a PhD from Middlesex University in 2103. She is currently a member of the committee established to over see the implementation of the Arts and Education Charter launched by Ministers Jimmy Deenihan and Ruairí Quinn.

Lecture Three: Hope: An Act of the Imagination

For our third lecture we are delighted to have Dr Peter O'Connor from the University of Auckland. His lecture Hope: An Act of the Imagination will explore how the arts can assist communities in reconnecting takes place on Monday, November 11 at 7pm in T1.15, Tara Building, Mary Immaculate College. 

Abstract:

In considering the vital importance of creating hopeful citizens, the arts are presented as a means of making sense of the troubled worlds we live in.  In the aftermath of natural disasters how the arts can help individuals and communities reconnect to the future provides an understanding of the interrelationship between the imagination,hope and resilience. The talk will be based in large measure around  the award winning applied theatre work in Christchurch following the earthquakes.

Brief Biography:

Associate Professor Peter O'Connor is the Director of the Critical Research Unit in Applied Theatre at the University of Auckland.

He has spent more than thirty years creating and researching theatre in prisons, psychiatric institutions, natural disaster zones, and schools.

His most recent work includes a UNESCO funded project in Christchurch schools, working with teachers and students to help young people’s transition back into classrooms following the Canterbury earthquakes.

He was named a New Zealander of the Year by North and South Magazine in 2011 for this work and in 2012 was named Griffith University School of Education and Professional Studies Alumnus of the Year.

The Lecture is free and open to the public.