14th June, co-production with Mermaid Arts Centre and SoFFt Productions.

Venue: Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Co. Wicklow

Tickets: https://www.mermaidartscentre.ie/whats-on/events/music-and-senses-a-synesthetic-spectacle

Prepare to immerse yourself in an extraordinary fusion of music and light and a dazzling of your senses at the Mermaid Arts Centre. On 14th June 2024, the renowned West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival, in collaboration with Mermaid Arts Centre and Sofft Productions, presents an unforgettable evening exploring the fascinating world of synesthesia; a blending of your senses through the lens of music and light.

What is Synesthesia?

Synesthesia, a phenomenon where sensory perceptions intertwine, offering a gateway to experiencing the world in a unique and interconnected manner. Synesthesia is when your senses blend together; From tasting words to associating colors with sounds, synesthesia provides a rich tapestry of sensory experiences. At this event, we’ll use music and light to show how this works, creating a memorable experience where you can explore how different senses can interact in a beautiful way.

A Sensory Journey After Sunset

After Twilight, the Mermaid Arts Centre invites you to a special presentation of Messiaen's 'Quartet for the End of Time,' led by the accomplished pianist Fiachra Garvey with musicians Cora Venus Lunny (violin), Macdara Ó Seireadáin (clarinet) and Aoife Burke (cello). Supported by the pilot late-night grant scheme, this event promises an immersive experience like no other. Messian, a composer and ornithologist experienced these sensations of synesthesia himself and with this in mind….

Internationally acclaimed lighting designer Conor Jacob will collaborate with the quartet, creating a visual landscape with musical expression to evoke the synesthetic visions that inspired Messiaen's masterpiece. Through meticulously crafted lighting designs, Jacob aims to amplify the emotional journey of the composition, inviting audiences on a transformative experience of sight and sound.

Exploring Nature's Influence on Art

Following the performance, guests will have the opportunity to engage in a stimulating conversation with Sean Roynane and Fiachra Garvey where they will look at the intersection of birdsong, music, and artistic inspiration. Sean Roynane's enriching talks have captivated audiences across Ireland, promising an enlightening dialogue on the connection between nature and creativity.

A Moment of Reflection

Concluding the evening, attendees are invited to unwind in the space, accompanied by the serene melodies of birdsong, expertly recorded by Sean Roynane, winner of the Sound of the Year Awards 2020. This tranquil interlude offers a moment of contemplation, allowing guests to reconnect with the natural world and their senses.

Join Us for an Unforgettable Synesthetic Experience

Don't miss this one-of-a-kind event that promises to ignite your senses and expand your perception of music and art. Tickets are available now, offering an opportunity to embark on a journey of sensory exploration at the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray, Co. Wicklow.

About Mermaid Arts Centre:

Mermaid Arts Centre is a vibrant cultural hub situated in the heart of Bray, Co. Wicklow, dedicated to showcasing a diverse range of artistic experiences, from music and theater to visual arts and film. With a commitment to fostering creativity and community engagement, Mermaid Arts Centre strives to enrich the cultural landscape of Ireland through innovative programming and collaboration.

About Sofft Productions:

SoFFt Productions is a creative collaborative team, established in 2020 and based in Dublin, Ireland. The SoFFt team develops exceptional and innovative work in the spaces of arts, cultural and creativity for Irish and international audiences. The team is committed to designing, developing and delivering meaningful work in multidisciplinary arts practice from concept development, through programme creation and curation, to production - an end-to-end model of production for both live and online experiences.

About Fiachra Garvey

1st prize-winner of the 2012 Jaques Samuel Intercollegiate Piano Competition and former NCH Rising Star, Fiachra Garvey ARAM, grew up on Móin Bhán in the Wicklow mountains. He spent his early childhood being the understudy to the family sheep dog Rex (who had lofty ambitions for early retirement) and playing the piano! Other pastimes included swimming in the Blessington lakes and staging plays in the attic with his sister and cohort of friends. Since those more playful days, Fiachra has obtained his Dip Mus, BA and MA degrees from the Royal Academy of Music London, the Royal Irish Academy of Music and received prizes at many international competitions including Dublin AXA, EU Prague and Collioure, France.

About Seán Ronayne

"Ornithologist and wildlife sound recordist Seán Ronayne is on a personal mission to record the vocalisations of every bird species in Ireland. For three years, he has travelled across bogs, mountains, remote islands and native woodlands documenting nearly 200 birds, including species on the cusp of extinction. Seán has amassed a unique sound library which contains recordings of mimicry, distinct dialects, and birds never recorded in Ireland before. His journey reveals the beauty and importance of sound, and what listening can tell us about the state of our natural world.