»Die Arbeit entstand in einer Zeit, als sich viele von uns aus Irland im Frauenfriedenscamp auf dem Raketenstützpunkt Greenham Common in England versammelt hatten. Bei der Protestaktion ›Sounds Around the Base‹ umringten 30.000 bis 50.000 Frauen den neun Meilen langen Zaun und machten jede Stunde zur vollen Stunde Geräusche. Dort hörte ich eine kleine Gruppe von Frauen klagen. Das hat mich sehr beeindruckt. Es war bewegend, kraftvoll. Zurück in meinem Atelier veränderte sich meine Arbeit. Ich veränderte mich. Es wurde notwendig, meine Stimme und meinen Körper einzusetzen. Ich entwickelte eine Reihe von Rufen, und aus der Stille heraus entstand das ›caoin‹.« (Alanna O'Kelly)

Image Caption: Alanna O'Kelly, Chant Down Greenham, 1984, Recorded on 1/4 inch analogue tape, transferred to digital format, Duration: 09:10 min, Collection Irish Museum of Modern Art, Purchase, 2021. Image courtesy IMMA and the artist 

The accompanying image incorporates an original photograph by Raissa Page, Dancing on the silos, Greenham Common, 1 January 1983. Protected by copyright. Not to be reproduced without permission, please contact Richard Burton Archives, Swansea University (Ref. DC3/14/1/67)

»This was a seminal work. It came out of a moment when many of us from Ireland gathered at the women’s peace camp, nuclear missile base at Greenham Common (1983), England. The protest ›Sounds Around the Base‹ had 30,000 to 50,000 women surrounding the 9-mile perimeter fence all making sounds on the hour every hour. There I heard a small group of women keening. I was very struck by this. It was moving, powerful. Back in my studio on Gardiner Street, Dublin, my work changed. I changed. It became necessary to use my voice and my body. Though the equipment was basic or non-existent, it happened, and was essential and seemed vital. I developed a series of calls and out of silence the ›caoin‹ emerged.« (Alanna O'Kelly)

Image Caption: Alanna O'Kelly, Chant Down Greenham, 1984, Recorded on 1/4 inch analogue tape, transferred to digital format, Duration: 09:10 min, Collection Irish Museum of Modern Art, Purchase, 2021. Image courtesy IMMA and the artist 

The accompanying image incorporates an original photograph by Raissa Page, Dancing on the silos, Greenham Common, 1 January 1983. Protected by copyright. Not to be reproduced without permission, please contact Richard Burton Archives, Swansea University (Ref. DC3/14/1/67)