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SINOU - audio vocal work 
Commissioned by Ormston House: Museum of Mythological Water Beasts Project - Arts Council 

Sinou by Ceara Conway explores the fascinating connection between the River Shannon and the work of Greek geographer and musician Ptolemy who mapped Ireland’s rivers circa 90AD , it also explores the artists connection with walking along the River Shannon during a period of grief. 

This new commission for the Museum of Mythological Water Beasts is an audio piece featuring the artist singing the Seikilos Epitaph, an ancient chant composed in the Ptolemy harmonic scale, the oldest surviving complete musical composition.

A translation of the Seikilos Epitaph reads:

While you live, shine / Have no grief at all / Life exists only for a short while / And Time demands his due.

Conway has recorded two versions of the chant which play at regular intervals and are separated by a series of field recordings from the River Shannon.

As part of the commission that artist also held a '' Silent River Walk'' with members of the public and meditation facilitator Majella O Donovan.

Click to hear an extract of Sinou 

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