GOT DAMP, Avril Corroon

GOT DAMP was a project developed by artist Avril Corroon from research into living conditions as a galvanising issue for communities in exercising their political voice. At the heart of Corroon’s material enquiry was an ongoing exchange over 2 years with 55 households from London and Dublin who joined through opencall and via an invitation to members of the Community Action Tenants Union Ireland. Energy efficient dehumidifiers and support to manage damp was provided, whilst households contributed experiences, ideas and collected their damp as a material for an artwork. A total volume of 1800L in water was collected and gifted to the project which was then exhibited at TACO! and Project Arts Centre, Dublin in 2023, as part of an expansive installation which included an artist film.

The publication, GOT DAMP collates documentation of research, process, installation images, interviews, poetry and responses from writers, half of whom were project participants. Contributors include Mat Jenner, curator of artist-led space TACO! introduces GOT DAMP, its contexts and critical scope. Julian Bernard reflects on the project's process in relation to collective action, community and damp in their home. Chris Fite-Wassilak examines contradictions of modern living under the scope of rot and microbial terroir. Kirsten Cooke charts damps’ fluid coordinates through buildings and bodies. Daisy Lafarge presents a selection of poems ‘understudies for air’ and Eimear Murphy asks what reciprocity is.

This book was supported by Arts Council Ireland and Lottery funding through Arts Council England.

Published by TACO!
Softcover
72 pages
165 x 230 mm
ISBN 9781838279271