August – December 2008
Filmed performance
Berlin / Cilgerran
A short film made in response to the project In Debatable Lands, Iain Biggs’ ‘deep mapping’ of the borderlands between England and Scotland focusing on the series of songs known as the ‘border ballads’. The film reflects on my own connections to that area through my maternal Grandmother, the crossing of borders and the roots of linguistic conflict.
The film was distributed with the volume In Debatable Lands II along with a short accompanying essay. The film was also shown at Oriel Mostyn’s exhibition We have the mirrors, we have the plans in May 2010, following the gallery’s re-opening after a major re-development.
The film features footage shot during the performance installation A Grim Elegy.
Filmed by Pierre Wolter and Sean Vicary. Produced by Mwldan Creadigidol.
Project funded by the Arts Council of Wales.
Ffilm fer (7 munud) oedd wedi ei chreu fel ymateb i lyfr gan yr artist ag addysgwr Iain Biggs sy’n dwyn y teitl In Debatable Lands. Prif bwnc y llyfr ydy’r ffin rhwng yr Alban a Lloegr, gyda diddordeb neilltuol mewn cyfres o gerddi sydd yn cael eu galw’n ‘baledi’r ffin’. Mae’r ffilm yn cwestiynu’r syniad o gartref fel man heddwch tra bod hunaniaethau gwahanol yn bodoli yn eich bywyd personol a gwleidyddol. Cymysgedd o weithred byw ac animeiddio. Cyllidwyd y gwaith gan Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru.
Dr Rowan O'Neill 