This episode features Liam Doona and Ger Clancy, both designers and lecturers at Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology – IADT; they share deep reflections on how the pandemic has affected the sector in multiple ways.
For instance, how the pandemic has made it very evident that the arts ecosystem needs re-thinking since the vast majority of people working in the sector are in a precarious position and the consequent impact on mental health; how it has affected the nature of teaching, forcing educators at all levels to reinvent their methodologies;
Liam and Her also highlight the importance of educating children from a young age to be creative and appreciate the arts in order to have sustainable, long-term models in state legislation. And, finally, how creative thinking has been adopted in recent years by corporate models as a key element not just to develop new products but also to create better working environments.
Overall, Ger and Liam make excellent reflections on the lessons we should learn from this unprecedented situation.
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Each Stage Left episode covers different aspects of scenography and its processes with designers from all disciplines at a variety of stages in their careers.
This podcast was recorded on Zoom, which at times affects the sound quality.
Click on the image below to listen to the podcast. Enjoy!
Bios
Liam Doona is a freelance theatre designer and Lecturer in the National Film School, Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology.
Graduating from Nottingham Trent University in 1986 , he worked extensively in the UK both as a practicing designer and academic before relocating to Ireland in 2006 to take up the post of Head of Art and Design at IADT.
Liam has led and developed programmes in design at a number of British Universities including University of Central England, Bretton Hall B.A. (Hons.) (Leeds University 1997), Theatre Design B.A. (Hons.) and Nottingham Trent University(2005).
Liam co authored Irelands first suite of honours degrees in Design for Stage and Screen. He is an Expert Panellist (Art, Design and Drama) for the Higher Education Training and Awards Council (HETAC Ireland) and a highly experienced external examiner.
Alongside his educational work he has maintained a practice as set and costume designer which enabled him to work for a number of leading touring theatre companies and theatres in the UK and Ireland.
Notable productions in the UK include; To Kill a Mockingbird, York Theatre Royal and National Tour, The White Album at Nottingham Playhouse, Romeo and Juliet at York Theatre Royal, Boys Stuff at Sheffield Crucible, and The Rivals and The Seagull – both national British tours with Compass Theatre.
He has designed several productions at the Abbey Theatre including; She Stoops to Conquer (Goldmsith) and You Never Can Tell (Shaw).
Liam’s work was included in the Collaborators Exhibition at The Victoria and Albert Museum London. He writes for The Blue Pages – The journal of the Society of British Theatre Designers, and his work can be seen in “2D 3D” (2002) and “Collaborators”(2007), the quadrennial reviews of British Stage Design published by SBTD. His design history writing is published by Routledge in Designers Shakespeare and A Reader in Scenography.
Liam Doona Website | LinkedIn Profile
Ger Clancy
Ger Clancy is an award-winning artist and designer with over 20 years experience working as a sculptor, visual artist, designer and maker. His expertise and experience encompass the fields of practice associated with visual and spectacle arts, theatre and film.
Ger is also Programme Chair of the Design for Film programme at the Institute of Art and Design DunLaoghaire (IADT), Ireland.
He is Artistic Director and founder of ArtFX, a centre of excellence in the area of creative design and manufacturing.
Stage Left Podcast
Stage Left Podcast is funded by the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland
Featured Music Venn Diagrams from How To Square A Circle by Lux Alma
Produced by Noelia Ruiz
