ILL TREATMENT
*This project is currently in research and development
Background to the idea ↓
In 2016 a trilogy of dance/sound/video-based works began with Hysteria — which was an artistic response to trauma and physical/behavioural manifestations of distress — commissioned by Science Gallery Dublin as part of their TRAUMA exhibition, where it was installed for three months.
Since the exhibition, it has been shown in Ireland again (programmed as part of Trinity College Dublin’s Probe festival) and it has also toured to Albania and Brazil:
Official Selection | Video art category | Tirana International Film Festival, Albania
Part two (in development) — ILL TREATMENT — will respond to current practices of so-called “conversion therapy”, and the dark history of state and medically sanctioned "cures" for queerness and homosexual romantic feelings and sexual desire. These practices, which are arguably forms of torture because “treatments” included induced vomiting, and electric shocks while viewing erotic material. These practices continued well past the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality 50 years ago. Arrests actually increased during this period, and "curing" queerness was often offered to "criminals" as an alternative to a prison term.
*Preliminary R&D was supported by an award from the Arts Council of Ireland's Artist in the Community Scheme managed by Create, the national development agency for collaborative arts.
