GRASP
INSTALLATION, 2015
COLM MC NALLY / CMCM DESIGNS (IE)
Grasp is a series of three interactive sculptures that give visitors a chance to experience the loss of ability in their hands. The artist is someone who works, on a daily basis, in an environment in which manual labour and skill are a primary means of self-expression. He has become fascinated and horrified by the potential repercussions of losing that ability, and thus that mode of self-expression. Grasp was originally inspired by the work of designers Charles and Ray Eames and their work creating bent plywood splints for use in WWII and the Korean War. Their designs were able to replace the metal traction splints that had side effects of gangrene and stopped circulation in soldiers.
Informed by new research into psychoprosthetics each piece invites the audience to sit at a hand crafted table and feel the restrictions of limited movement. Ability loss of this nature can be violent and disorienting, certainly traumatic. The artist hopes to create psychological and emotional links in each piece as well as physical. The juxtaposition of the handmade table that visitors sit at to view the piece, and the difficult representations of ability loss, create a discomforting experience for the visitor.
BIO:
Colm Mc Nally is an award-winning lighting and set designer for theatre. Grasp is his first official foray into the world of visual art. A background in scenic carpentry and technology are the grounding upon which he hopes to build his visual art portfolio. In his theatre work, Colm is one of six people running Sugarglass Theatre, and has worked with many other theatre creators such as Collapsing Horse and Painted Filly. As a scenographer, he specialises in non-naturalistic forms and highly contemporary, critically engaged work.