What’son in the arts

Focus on photography

The Dancers by Barbara Morgan

Photography is front and centre with two exhibitions currently running in Dublin. Moment in Time at the National Gallery of Ireland is a collection of photographs drawn from Bank of America's renowned collection featuring iconic images by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dorothea Lange, Man Ray and many others. There are overlapping themes including people, documentary and nature. The beautiful images of leaves and landscapes by Ansel Adams are particularly lovely. The National Gallery has only begun to show photography exhibitions, but the lively education and learning programme provides context and perspective. (at nationalgallery.ie until Mar 22).

At the same time and sharing some of the same photographers is Ireland in Focus: Photographing the 1950s at the National Museum at Collins' Barracks. These images record a very different country that looks strange and oddly exotic. For more see museum.ie/decorative-arts-history. The 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth is in 2020 so expect celebrations at all turns. No laggard, Galway's Midwinter Festival is to focus primarily on Beethoven's early solo piano and chamber music compositions. A performance of Beethoven's Kreutzer Sonata, straying into the master's glorious middle period is a highlight from internationally celebrated duo team of Russian violinist Alina Ibragimova and French pianist Cédric Tiberghien. What a treat – see musicforgalway.ie for more information and booking.

Two festivals returning in the New Year are First Fortnight which features events, talks, film and theatre to challenge and explore our mental health. See firstfortnight.ie and find something where you are. At the end of January, Tradfest in Temple Bar has assembled an exciting line up of musicians including Maria Doyle Kennedy, Séamus Begley & Oisín Mac Diarmaida with Samantha Harvey / Brona McVittie and many more.

Derek Jarman, enfant terrible of British cinema as well as artist and gardener, enjoys a significant retrospective at IMMA this year. Derek Jarman PROTEST! captures Jarman’s engagement with both art and society, as well as his contemporary concerns with political protest and personal freedoms arising from the AIDS crisis. A selection of film work will also screen at the Irish Film Institute. Jarman’s artistic vision remains highly influential, and this is a welcome opportunity for assessment. (See imma.ie and ifi.ie for more details).

Finally, our very own Saoirse Ronan plays Jo March in a new film of the perennial favourite, Little Women. This new film is the sixth adaptation of the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott, but presumably, director Greta Gerwig who worked so well with Ronan in Lady Bird feels she has something to add.

Russian violinist Alina Ibragimova will perform Beethoven's Kreutzer Sonata, at the Galway Midwinter Festival.

Derek Jarman’s INRI 1988

Events around the Country December 2019/ January 2020

DEREK JARMAN PROTEST! Music / Cinema A major retrospective of the acclaimed British artist and filmmaker Derek Jarman marking 25 years since his death. Until Feb 23 / IMMA Information: imma.ie

HOW WILL SANTA FIND US? Book A new Irish book for children around homelessness in Ireland supported by a raft of Irish illustrators and designers. Now / in all bookshops Information: booksirelandmagazine.com

IRELAND IN FOCUS: PHOTOGRAPHING THE 1950S Photography Photographers Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dorothea Lange and Robert Cresswell’s images of 1950s Ireland. Until April 2020 / National Museum of IrelandDecorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, Dublin 7. Information: museum.ie/Decorative-ArtsHistory

MOMENT IN TIME: A LEGACY OF PHOTOGRAPHS - WORKS FROM THE BANK OF AMERICA COLLECTION Photography Iconic photographs by Julia Margaret Cameron, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Eugene Smith, Robert Frank, Dorothea Lange. Until March 22 / National Gallery of Ireland Ticketed / information: nationalgallery.ie

LITTLE WOMEN Film Director Greta Gerwig’s new take on the American Civil War classic with Saoirse Ronan as Jo March. Dec 26 nationwide

FIRST FORTNIGHT Festival Uses arts and culture to challenge mental health stigma – wide range of arts events and performances. January 2020 / nationwide activity Information: firstfortnight.ie

VISION X Visual Arts Curated by Diana Copperwhite RHA, this exhibition shows previously unseen works by new emerging Irish artists. Until Jan 26, 2020 / RHA Gallery, 15 Ely Place, Dublin 2 Information: rha.ie

RTÉ RADIO 1 - NOLLAIG NA MBAN Music / Poetry Join RTÉ Radio 1 for a celebration of women in Ireland through readings and music. Presented by Sinéad Gleeson. Jan 05 / Abbey Theatre, Dublin 1 Information and booking: abbeytheatre.ie

ANXO LORENZO, JIM MURRAY, DÓNAL O’CONNOR & JACK TALTY Music This quartet of Galician and Irish artists are players, composers, arrangers, accompanists and producers. Jan 14-30 / nationwide Information and booking: musicnetwork.ie BOMBSHELL Film A group of women decide to tackle sexual harassment in the Fox News workplace ruled by Roger Ailes. Jan 17 island wide.

MUSIC FOR GALWAY MIDWINTER FESTIVAL Music A three-day festival of themed concerts to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth in 2020. Jan 17-19 / Town Hall Theatre, Galway Information and booking: musicforgalway.ie

TRADFEST Music Fantastic and diverse lineup for Dublin’s celebration of trad, folk and world music. Jan 22-25 / various Dublin city centre Information and booking: tradfest.ie

DÓNAL LUNNY AND PADDY GLACKIN Music Two legendary and innovative figures in Irish music team up. Jan 25 / The Dock, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim. Information and booking: thedock.ie

THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE Theatre Martin McDonagh’s satire on terrorism and the beautification of violence in contemporary culture. Jan 27 – March 14 / Gaiety Theatre, Dublin 2 Information + booking: Gaiety Theatre Box Office, 0818 719388 10 am – 7 pm / Mon – Sat / ticketmaster.ie