BENCH #3 | Sibéal Davitt
Perched on a metallic cube that would not have looked out of place in a strobe-lit club, Davitt arched and stretched over the cube, as though resting on a rock by the shore, her movements first rippling with the water’s motion or bobbing in acknowledgment of the floating gulls. Then, to strains of perfectly pitched fiddle music, her body shifted a gear and, loose-limbed and barefoot, still on her rock, an exquisite free-form sean-nós dance began, so relaxed and yet invisibly controlled.
Sibéal's BENCH premiered as part of Dublin Dance Festival 2024.
We were excited to reveal Sibéal Davitt as the commissioned artist for BENCH#3 which premiered in May as part of the 2024 Dublin Dance Festival. Fresh from her tour of the critically acclaimed MINSEACH, Sibéal has a long standing relationship with CoisCéim, having been part of the company’s youth dance group Creative Steps for many years – returning as a professional artist to co-create two works for the company in 2017/2018.
“I am so honoured to be offered this commission by CoisCéim Dance Theatre in partnership with Waterways Ireland. Working with initial themes of migration and biodiversity in response to Grand Canal Dock, I’m developing a short work that encompasses all facets of my contemporary and traditional dance practice. I’m so excited to develop this site specific piece under the mentorship of David Bolger and create a memorable performance for Dublin Dance Festival 2024.”
– Sibéal Davitt, Choreographer
SUMMER 2024
GRAND CANAL DOCK
DUBLIN, IRELAND (MAP)
25 - 27 July 2024
FREE to attend, no booking required.
performance schedule
Thursday 25 JULY
12.30 - BENCH #4 by Tobi Omoteso at Charlotte Quay Dock
12.55 - BENCH #3 by Sibéal Davitt at the Red Sticks/Grand Canal Dock
Friday 26 & Saturday 27 July
12.30 & 1.30 - BENCH #4 by Tobi Omoteso at Charlotte Quay Dock
12:55 & 1.55 - BENCH #3 by Sibéal Davitt at the Red Sticks/Grand Canal Dock
Gallery
Performed at
Dublin Dance Festival 2024
Grand Canal Dock
Dublin, Ireland
24 - 25 May 2024
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 Sibéal Davitt
Curator David Bolger
Music Between The Piper And The Pipes and Ómós do Sheamus by Úna Monaghan
Filmmaker Luca Truffarelli
Technician John Norton
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
