States of Independence
A celebration of Change-Makers

Celebrating the stories of ten change-makers from the Decade of Centenaries and the stories of ten changemakers today working to make society a better place for all

Supported by The Arts Council Open Call, as part of ART: 2023 a Decade of Centenaries Collaboration between The Arts Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Inspired by the stories of ten changemakers, visionaries and leaders from the Decade of Centenaries 1912-1922 and the stories of ten change-makers from today working to make society a better place for all, ten professional artists come together to collaborate on the development of a series of artworks for public display in eight sites – both ancient and modern – across Ireland and for display via creative billboards and online.

States of Independence celebrates the stories of ten change-makers from the Decade of Centenaries 1912-1922 linked to the stories of ten change-makers today working to make society a better place. The twenty stories gathered act as inspiration for the  creation of new artworks by ten artists, working in visual art, film, dance, theatre, creative writing and digital arts. The artists come together to create a range of artworks and performances for public display in eight sites – both ancient and modern – across Ireland and for display via a creative billboards campaign and online on the Smashing Times Virtual Art Gallery. The stories, artworks and performances are shared with public audiences to reflect on modern day revolutionary visions for the future inspired by the past, launched for the annual Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival 13 to 22 October 2022.

The internationally acclaimed team of ten artists is led by Mary Moynihan, an award-winning writer, poet, director, theatre and film-maker and Artistic Director, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality, working with John Scott, Artistic Director and Choreographer, Irish Modern Dance Theatre, and a range of artists working in literature, visual arts, theatre, film and new digital technologies.

The team collaboratively create a series of interconnected artworks including a live multi-disciplinary performance, visual art projections and a creative billboards campaign to be launched for the 2023 annual International Dublin Arts and Human Rights festival taking place from the 13 to 22 October 2023. Events are accompanied by panel discussions and public talks on new visions for a peaceful and equal society for all.

Events take place in Dublin, Kerry, Clare and Donegal with online work accessible across Ireland and internationally celebrating changemakers and heroes from the past and today, bringing people together to promote active citizenship, equality, human rights and diversity and celebrating new visions for a peaceful and equal future for all. Events take place in a range of venues both ancient and modern including Office of Public Work spaces throughout Ireland.

For more on States of Independence, click here.

For further information please contact Freda Manweiler, producer, telephone 087 2214245 or email freda@smashingtimes.ie