AGREEMENT | Irish Artist's Film Index

AGREEMENT

Amanda Dunsmore


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Artist's biography

Amanda Dunsmore

Contributors

Amanda Dunsmore - Visual Artist/Director

Description

AGREEMENT (2004-2023) is a unique collection of 14 video portraits depicting individuals involved in the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement of 1998, which ended decades of conflict in Northern Ireland. This monumental artwork series was created in recognition and inspired by these individuals contribution to the ending of ‘The Troubles’. The calm filmic studies in light present a point of reflection, a moment of silence. The portraits are silent, and continuously looped in gallery presentation, and in all of them the subjects are still, seated, their gaze focused and looking out towards the audience. AGREEMENT features : David Ervine, Progressive Unionist Party, filmed in Northern Visions community television studio, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 2004; John Alderdice, Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, filmed at his home in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 2005; Martin McGuinness, Sinn Féin, filmed in the Void Gallery, Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland, 2005; John Hume, Social Democratic and Labour Party, filmed in the Void Gallery, Derry/Londonderry, 2005, Northern Ireland; David Trimble (by then Lord Trimble), Ulster Unionist Party, filmed in Seapatrick Parish Church Hall, Banbridge, Co. Down, Northern Ireland, 2017; Senator George Mitchell, United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland, filmed in the Shelbourne hotel, Dublin, Ireland, 2018; Monica McWilliams, Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, filmed in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 2005/2019; Pearl Sagar, Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, filmed in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 2019; Seamus Mallon Social Democratic and Labour Party, filmed in Markethill, Armagh, Northern Ireland, 2019; Bertie Ahern, Fianna Fáil Taoiseach, filmed in Drumcondra, Dublin, Ireland, 2019. Gary McMichael, Ulster Democratic Party, filmed in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 2022; Malachi Curran, Labour Party of Northern Ireland, filmed in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 2022. Gerry Adams, Sinn Féin, filmed in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 2022. The synthetic media portrait, created by machine learning, digitally processed from RTE archival media footage of former UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1997-1999), Dr Mo Mowlam (deceased) was the final AGREEMENT portrait. Her role was crucial to the peace process and as is the case with other women involved, her importance played down. Using new technologies associated with ‘Deep Fakes’, Dunsmore has appropriated machine learning technology to facilitate a positive representation of women. This representation and acknowledgement of women in politics, is an important aspect of Dunsmore's art practice. Dr Mowlam's portrait is similar in composition to the previous, 13 filmed portraits - silent, 4:3 aspect ratio. Funded by Arts Council of Ireland 2021 Visual Arts Bursary, Dr Mowlam’s portrait completes the artwork, (2023).

Screenings

  • 2023 — Ulster University, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
  • 2023 — Chandlers House, Rathfriland, Newry, Women of Clonduff / Rathfriland Regen, Northern Ireland.
Details
Title

AGREEMENT

Year

2023

Tags
Northern Ireland, The Troubles, place, people, moments of political significance, conflict, politcal, peace, portraiture, legacy, social historic, societal reflection, transformation, gender, visual parity, synthetic media, silence, arts, human relations, politics, technology, biography, cultural commentary, historical, social commentary
Duration

00:20:00

Original formats

Digital 4k, Digital HD, HD

Screening formats

Digital 4K, Digital HD

Aspect ratio

4:3

Colour

Colour

Supported by Kildare County Council Arts Service, Visual Artists Ireland, and the Arts Council of Ireland.
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