BENCH #2 | Favour Odusola
What a treat to catch Favour Odusola’s gorgeous performance of BENCH this afternoon at Mount Street Bridge. Amazing to see how everyday spaces can transform through dance
"The freedom to express ourselves within the piece while also telling a story of the canal produced an organic version based on our individual perspectives and that was great for me. One thing I am taking away which I absolutely loved was the support from the whole team from everyone involved."
– Favour Odusola, Choreographer/Performer
At the beginning of the Summer in 2023 Favour Odusola was announced as one of two inaugural choreographic commissions bringing together CoisCéim Dance Theatre and Waterways Ireland. BENCH #2 was developed at the CoisCéim studio in Fairview before being performed by the Grand Canal at Mount Street Bridge in late August.
“I think the reason why I fell in love with this place was the grass and sense of space... the sound of the water in the lock is also amazing. It is so loud and drowns out everything else. It keeps you in the present moment... Everyone feels the need to be doing something all the time. Even personally, I’ve had to really explore the idea of slowing down, staying still or just not thinking."
– Favour Odusola, Choreographer/Performer
Gallery
Performed at
Culture Night
Spencer Dock
Dublin, Ireland
22 September 2023
World Premiere
Mount Street Bridge
Dublin, Ireland
30 August - 2 September 2023
ABOUT
“I have long been inspired by the Dublin canals, having lived and worked close to both The Grand Canal and The Royal Canal. Their close proximity to the city centre is an enriching environment that has inspired countless artists throughout the waterways rich history. This pilot project will see CoisCéim Dance Theatre commission several talented contemporary dance artists and choreographers to make work inspired by the canals and their connection to the city. It is a real honour for me to collaborate with Waterway's Ireland and curate the works and I look forward to welcoming audiences to experience these treasures.” – David Bolger, CoisCéim Dance Theatre
BENCH started as an experimental pilot project in the summer 2023, with commissions to Jessie Thompson and Favour Odusola – find out more here.
“We are thrilled to collaborate again with CoisCéim Dance Theatre to bring a new commission by Sibéal Davitt to Dublin Dance Festival to animate and reimagine our waterways. Dublin’s canals are a vital part of the Green and Blue infrastructure of the city, supporting the health and wellbeing of citizens and inspiring countless artists since their construction over 200 years ago.” – Máirín Ó Cuireáin, Dublin Development Manager
Credits
Choreographer/Performer Favour Odusola
Curator David Bolger
Sound Engineer Alexis Nealon
Filmmaker Neil O’Driscoll
Technician Damien Woods
About the Artists
Partners
Waterways Ireland
Waterways Ireland is the cross-border navigational authority responsible for the management, maintenance, development, and promotion of over 1,000kms of inland navigable waterways, principally for recreational purposes. These waterways comprise of: Grand Canal; Royal Canal; Barrow; Shannon, Shannon-Erne; Erne; Ulster Canal and Lower Bann navigations. Waterways Ireland assets contribute approximately €560m in economic, societal, and environmental value annually. In 2021, the waterways estate received 3.2 million visitors.
In Dublin, Waterways Ireland is responsible for the historic Grand and Royal Canals, which have been a source of great inspiration for artists in the city. Through arts programming, engagement and collaboration, we support the development of creative places in Dublin and contribute to making the areas along the Royal and Grand Canals better places to live, work, and visit.
Find out more at www.waterwaysireland.org
