StoryScapes is an innovative art installation and Storytelling project created by storyteller and artist Sean O’ Laoghaire and delivered as part of the ‘Our Planet, Your Biosphere’ autumn event series.
Addressing issues of audience participation that can be lost in online delivery platforms, that would be usual in live storytelling practice ‘StoryScapes’ was developed to give the audience the power to shape the story as it was created prior to the final tale being told in a live session held via the Zoom webinar platform.
The project launched on November 5th to coincide with the online launch event. The final live storytelling event was held on Saturday, November 21st throughout the weeks in between short video clips were released on Sean o’ Laoghaire’s YouTube channel and shared via social media. The videos included footage of the local environment, scenes created using natural materials and puppets in action. The public were encouraged to watch the videos and comment on what they thought was happening and where they thought the story would go next. These comments were then collected by Sean and elements from each included within the script of the final tale to be told during the live event.
The recording of the live event can be viewed on our YouTube channel
Storyscapes was featured in the Kerryman on the 4th of November read on to see what they had to say about this innovative project!
Storyteller and artist Sean O’ Laoghaire is working on a brand new project to bring the natural environment of Kerry together with the art of storytelling, in a bid to help the public reconnect with nature. The project, which is linked with the Kerry Biosphere, aims to promote the wonderful environment surrounding us through using nature to tell a story.
Work has taken place using natural products such as grass, leaves and turf to create art installations or props to tell a story. The public are invited to play a part in the project by giving suggestions for what the story should be. Videos of the artistic installations will be posted online, and the public can give their suggestions on the story ideas based on these.
Sean will weave the story ideas together into one story, which will also be broadcast online. He will also use puppets to tell the story, a skill he is already well known for.
‘I was approached by the Kerry Biosphere to come up with an idea and, given the pandemic, we really had to think outside the box, and we came up with developing ‘StoryScapes’ to tell a story like art installations”, explained Sean.
It had been hoped to use other locations in Kerry, including Killarney, but the travel restrictions have halted that, and Sean is creating the art works in his native Portmagee.
“It is quite exciting… it is using our natural environment to tell stories and for people to re-connect with it. A lot of people have reconnected with nature during the lockdown. The videos will be released on social media by Sean next week, and then the public can make submissions of their story ideas. The videos will be n Sean’s own social media, including YouTube, and Sean an Seanchaí is his Facebook page. Kerry Biosphere will also share the videos.
The project is funded by Kerry County Council arts office, and an appeal has been made for the public to become part f the project. The final story will be aired on November 21 online.
News Article by Sinead Kelleher from The Kerryman on 04-11-2020
