The Star
Artist: Joanna Hopkins
Location: Front Window, Patrick Fahys\Giftware, Main St. Castlebar
Title: FIND - The Star
Medium: film/installation
Date: April 2014
Materials: film
Hopkins has carried out a thorough research project gathering information from the public, including interviews, images and newspaper articles referencing one of Castlebar’s first Silent Cinemas, the Star Picture Palace. Located on Main St. from 1919 to 1923, it was situated behind what is now Patrick Fahy's Gift and Hardware Shop.
The silent cinemas in the 1920’s featured local musicians who played improvised music to accompany the screenings of the films. Hopkins will utilise the still existing space to create a piece of film work that pays homage to a local Pianist, Grace Delaney, who played in the cinema. A specially commissioned piece of original music by Grace’s great granddaughter will be performed, referencing the 1918 Irish film ‘Knocknagow’, the first film that was screened in the Star Cinema.
This revised and playful merging of silent films and music intends to pay tribute to the local musicians who played here and to uncover the hidden cinematic history of this building. The film work will be revealed through a specially adapted ‘invisible’ screen, which the audience must seek out in order to view the work.
With warmest thanks to Mary Fahy and family, and Dee Gavin and family for their generous time and contribution to this project.