Finola Jones, The Pleasure of Compulsive Self Destruction, performance shot; courtesy the artist

The most recent public art project of Carlow County Council's Visualise Carlow art programme was three performances of The Pleasure of Compulsive Self Destruction which took place at St. Patrick's College. Originating from the soundtrack of a 1948 Tom and Jerry cartoon (Kitty foiled), Jones, in collaboration with Ollie Hennessy and Mary Amond O'Brien, translated the cartoon with its many chase scenes and explosions, so that these Foley sounds could be vocalised and performed by the Carlow Young Artists Choir. Many of the delights of the performance were in the details - the expectant tease of the spotlight on the red curtains as one entered the hall, Jones' humorous description of what takes place in the cartoon, the physical elegance of Mary Amond O'Brien's directions to the choir and the precision of their response, right through to the abundant talent and skill of this young choir.

While it may appear flowery to say that this was a resounding success (it was) The Pleasure of Compulsive Self Destruction is a significant project for a number of reasons: it is conceptually well developed, technically perfect and executed with both professionalism and creative flair. As an art project it articulates the value of contemporary art's emphasis on process and collaboration. As has become a standard with all the Visualise public art projects, The Pleasure of Compulsive Self Destruction created a new audience for itself beyond the confines of what can often appear a privileged and élite art côterie toward a real and very pleasurable engagement with the idea of an expanded sense of public art, without compromising in any way the cultural significance of conceptual art. Lastly, for those of you who are interested in the history and development of sound art here, The Pleasure of Compulsive Self Destruction is available on CD. Contact art@carlowcoco.ie.

Orla Ryan is an artist, writer and member of AICA Ireland.

Finola Jones in collaboration with the Carlow Young Artists choir: The Pleasure of Compulsive Self Destruction, St. Patrick's College, Carlow, 4 - 5 April, 2003

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