Coming Full Circle
In 1975, world-renowned sculptor Richard Long created “A Circle in Ireland” at The Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare, Ireland one of the most dramatic and iconic environmental sites in the world. Over the years the stone circle had fallen into disrepair. A group of post graduate students at the nearby Burren College of Art created a performative restoration of the circle during the Covid 19 pandemic lockdown which allowed only 15 people to gather together outdoors. The group, directed by their lecturer and visual artist Áine Phillips, performed an evocative action of reconstruction that represented a deeper metaphor, not only a reparation of the stone monument but human and environmental healing. The performance was filmed by Tom Flanagan and produced by the Burren College of Art.
Funded by Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture, Clare Arts Office and Creative Ireland
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Aine PhillipsDirectorButtered Up 2017, Redress 2010
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Burren College of Art County Clare, Galway 2020, Clare Arts Office, Creative IrelandProducer
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Burren College of Art studentsssKey Cast
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Tom FlanaganCinematographerAllegories of Power 2016, Post Fordlandia 2011
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Project Type:Experimental, Short, Student
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Runtime:8 minutes 13 seconds
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Completion Date:April 1, 2021
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Production Budget:5,000 EUR
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Country of Origin:Ireland
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Country of Filming:Ireland
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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Roma Film FestivalRome
Italy
February 18, 2021
Official Selection -
CucalorusWilmington, North Carolina
United States
November 12, 2021
North American Premier
Official Selection -
Nobel International Film FestivalBangalore
India -
Toronto Multicultural Film FestivalToronto
Canada
September 28, 2021
Canadian Premier
Official Selection -
New Wave Film FestivalMunich
Germany
April 7, 2022
Official Selection -
Galway 2020Galway
Ireland
April 30, 2021
Ireland Premier
Commissioned Film
Áine Phillips is a visual artist and filmmaker based in Galway who works in video, live performance and installation. She has exhibited in Ireland and internationally since the late 80’s and has created work for multiple contexts; public art commissions, the street, club events, galleries and museums. She engages with ideas of power relations, social justice and eco philosophies in her work. Her short films have been screened at film festivals throughout Europe and the USA. She is Head of Sculpture at Burren College of Art and lectures on performance and Applied Theatre at MA level in the O'Donoghue Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance at National University of Ireland, Galway.
Coming Full Circle is a collaboration with my students at Burren College of Art and with world renowned environmental sculptor Richard Long who makes art by walking in landscapes. He gave the film his blessing and contributed a spoken word voice over. Cinematographer Tom Flanagan pays hypnotic tribute to the vast cracked pavement of karst limestone bedrock and elemental seascape of Doolin Point at The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. The performance was silent and compelling, we focused on a healing relationship with the environment using the restoration action as a metaphor and an act of meditation. Shot in the middle of the third wave of Covid restrictions in Ireland we were all like birds out of a cage, enjoying being outside together and making art in a collective spirit. The project was commissioned by Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture and supported by Clare Arts Office and Creative Ireland.