Cavan artist emerges from darkness into light

 

Seamus Enright

Kingscourt-native AlanJames Burns will later this week host his psycho-acoustic artwork at one of the most impressive landscape cavities in the region, Pollnagollum Cave at Boho Waterfall set within the Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark.
Tickets for the uniquely immersive 'Entirely Hollow Aside from the Dark' on Friday September 29 went on sale last week, and despite recent inclement weather, Burns is “excited” and confident of the interactive exhibit will still go ahead.
After a burst of nervous laughter, he quickly ameliorates any circumstances, phlegmatically addressing: “It'll be disappointing of course if we have to cancel it, a real shame, but you can't control the weather, especially when you're trying something outdoors as we are. Its something we accepted from the very start when doing this project.”
The cross-border art installation, supported by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Cavan County Council, Cavan Arts Office, Creative Cavan, Creative Ireland, is the latest and final leg of the Dublin-based local artist's nationwide tour
Designed in collaboration with writer Sue Rainsford and sound editor Ian Dunphy, to date 'Entirely Hollow'  has been to five caves across the island of Ireland, in Sligo, Dublin, and Clare.
Burns previously explained to The Anglo-Celt how he utilises the caves as natural metaphors for the brain's temporal lobe, that which processes sensory input such as comprehension and emotional association.
Utilising specially adapted 3D spatial audio and visual technology, what unfolds within these ancient natural auditoriums is a symphony of swirling inner dialogue leading the listener from natural darkness to an enlightened sense of self-identity.
Burns described as “phenomenal” the reception to 'Entirely Hollow' to date, explaining how people have emerged in some cases initially confused, but soon after contacting him genuinely enthused by what they have just experienced.
“I love that. There has been such a great response across the whole country,” says Burns, who advises anyone due to attend the exhibit locally to “Listen to the little voice inside your head”.
“Everyone comes out with different experiences, which fascinates me. Its hits them at different times, the darkness responds to people differently, and them to it as well. Its very personal. Its only 15 minutes, but at some stage it becomes highly experiential for people. That begins with different time periods within the piece, what resonates with one person reacts differently with another.”
'Entirely Hollow' is the biggest project Burns has attempted to date, but becoming well acquainted with his own work as he tours it, he still says each show is as exciting and emotional for him.
“When all is set up, and we run everything for the first time, the opening moments I still find very special. I get quite emotional.”
Asked what he plans to do next, Burns replies “who knows?”, before admitting that the idea of bringing 'Entirely Hollow' on tour around Europe, and even worldwide has crossed his mind. For the immediate future however, Burns is preparing to take up residency in the Fire Station Art Studio in Dublin at the start of October.
“It would be a lot of work, so we'll have to see. If definitely something that has been uttered to me. But I'll be moving into the Fire Station soon, and with that I'm be working on and exploring a whole new line of ideas and work, so I'm very excited by that as well. Yes it could do Europe wide or worldwide, so we'll wait and see.”
For more information on 'Entirely Hollow' or for ticketing, visit entirelyhollowasidefromthedark.com.