Project - Performance
Who is she exactly? Often spotted sunbathing in the windows of Dublin 8, she's an icon of the neighbourhood, but not everyone knows her story. One even popped up recently on NCAD grounds. Have you seen her?
Interview.01
For the couple in the doorway, the statue of the white lady has become a symbol of belonging to the communities of both Dublin 8 and the lgbtq+ community. They received the statue as a gift because the donor’s girlfriend had one. She thought the statue was a very fitting Dublin 8 present as they are seen all around the Liberties and the couple have lived here for a long time.
The woman we met at the grotto spoke about the significance of the statue of the sleeping St Joseph. It is a symbol of faith. She feels a connection to the Pope and the community of the Catholic Church through the statue. It also brings her comfort and solace.
The statues in both cases held meaning for people. A sense of belonging to different communities or a sense of belonging to a particular religion. There is a definite position taken in regards to positionality and what the statues mean to them. There is no neutral objective position.
Even though the two worldviews are very different the statues function for them both in a similar way to give people a sense of connection and belonging within specific communities.
