THE STEPS
IMMA National Programme, May 2009

In conjunction with the Arts Office of the University of Limerick, Sean Taylor from the Irish Museum of Modern Art’s Artists’ Panel instigated a public art performance with the evening Step Aerobic Class at the UL Sports Arena on Friday 8th May 2009 at 6.30pm and 7.15pm . This class is a long established health & fitness facility for students of the University and the general public in Limerick. This particular class has been running for over 10 years and has a large regular public attendance (up to 150 participants).

Taylor undertook a series of creative workshops based on introducing members of the UL Aerobics Class to contemporary film works from the IMMA Collection during their one hour workout class times. The videos were screened during the class to instigate and stimulate discussion about contemporary art practices with the group.

The result of this relationship is the realisation of a new collaborative sound/performance art work, entitled THE STEPS. The artwork is based on the vocal/whistling instructions of the aerobic instructor, coupled with aerobic and fitness based patterns /movements. The finished artwork is located within the existing workout routine, and will become a permanent feature of the group’s workout.

The performance was documented by filmmaker Robert Corrigan, sound engineer Dave Carugo and Sean Taylor and this documentation accompanies a publication. The publication includes an interview with Sean Taylor by Karen Normoyle-Haugh; an introduction from Patricia Moriarty, Arts Officer, UL; and introduction by Lisa Moran, Johanne Mullan and Georgie Thompson, IMMA.

Copies of THE STEPS catalogue and DVD are available from the bookshop at IMMA, and from the shop at the Contemporary Music Centre, Fishamble Street, Dublin