{"id":2561,"date":"2023-09-24T15:13:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-24T15:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gwenstevenson.com\/?p=2561"},"modified":"2026-05-24T19:51:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T19:51:07","slug":"northern-ireland-conflict-memorial-unmemorial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gwenstevenson.com\/zh\/northern-ireland-conflict-memorial-unmemorial\/","title":{"rendered":"Northern Ireland Conflict: Memorial\/UnMemorial"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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About the Project<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Memorial\/UnMemorial: A Reflection on Conflict and Legacy<\/strong><\/p>

2024 marked the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, a landmark accord that officially ended the Northern Ireland conflict on April 10, 1998. This agreement laid the foundation for peace, constitutional settlement, and new institutions in Northern Ireland. However, the UK government\u2019s \u201cThe Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill,\u201d passed in September 2023 despite opposition from victims\u2019 groups, all Northern Ireland political parties, and the Irish Government, aimed to “draw a line” under future civil cases and inquests into Troubles-related offences.<\/p>

In response, I undertook Memorial\/UnMemorial<\/em>, a durational performance spanning February 14, 2023, to February 14, 2024. Each day, I crossed the Irish border while reciting the names and ages of individuals whose deaths, fatal injuries, or disappearances occurred on that date during the Troubles. This ritual became a deeply personal act of remembrance and connection, shared with an ever-growing audience through daily one-minute video reels on my social media channels. Family members, friends of the deceased, and a wider community of followers joined in this ongoing ritual of memory.<\/p>

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Exhibitions and Film Premiere<\/strong><\/p>

Throughout the year, Memorial\/UnMemorial<\/em> was featured in exhibitions on both sides of the border. It was part of Vestiges<\/em> at the Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre in Armagh, Northern Ireland, and Domhain \u00c9ile: Other Worlds<\/em> at the \u00cdontas Arts Centre in Castleblayney, County Monaghan, Ireland.<\/p>

The journey culminated in a 3-hour 15-second film created from daily footage and soundscapes. The film premiered in March 2024 at Belfast Exposed Photography Gallery, presented within a reflective space designed for individual engagement. Visitors were invited to contemplate the legacy of conflict and the complexities of memorialization. Belfast Exposed, renowned for amplifying diverse voices and fostering inclusive dialogue, provided the perfect setting for this work.<\/p>

The screening at Belfast Exposed on Donegall Street coincided with significant anniversaries, such as the March 20 remembrance of the Donegall Street bombings in 1972, which killed seven people and injured 148. This moment, alongside others, deepened the dialogue between past and present.<\/p>

The choice of Valentine\u2019s Day as the project’s temporal frame underscored a central belief: every person is a “loved one.” This intentional framing aimed to transcend perceived victim hierarchies and humanize the statistics of the Troubles through its ritual and symbolism,<\/p>

Memorial\/UnMemorial<\/em> became not just a film screening but a conversation on collective memory, remembrance, and the legacy of conflict.<\/p>

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Panel Discussion and Further Recognition<\/strong><\/p>

A panel discussion, featuring myself alongside Dr. Gail Ritchie and Dr. Paul Mullan, was hosted by Deirdre Robb, Chief Executive of Belfast Exposed, on March 21, 2024, as part of the Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics. This event provided an opportunity to explore the themes of the work in greater depth, fostering dialogue on remembrance and reconciliation.<\/p>

In November 2024, the work was showcased at the Irish Georgian Society in Dublin as part of the Soul Noir Festival, where it received the Audience Favourite Award.<\/p>

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Personal Reflections<\/strong><\/p>

Memorial\/UnMemorial<\/em> is deeply personal, rooted in my experience of living in Northern Ireland for nearly two decades. Engaging with its complex history and the enduring trauma of the Troubles has profoundly shaped my artistic practice. This work seeks to humanize the losses of the conflict, creating a space for dialogue, understanding, and reflection.<\/p>

The daily border crossing was both a physical act and a symbolic gesture. It highlighted the transformation of the border from a site of division to a place of normalcy and routine. By including scenes of everyday life, the project emphasized the resilience of communities affected by the conflict and the ongoing evolution of this contested landscape.<\/p>

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Looking Forward<\/strong><\/p>

Memorial\/UnMemorial<\/em> is a tribute to those who were lost and a meditation on the present. It acknowledges the enduring legacy of the Troubles while highlighting the border as a living entity that continues to change. My hope is that this work contributes to how we navigate the sensitivities of remembrance and collective memory, fostering a deeper understanding of our shared history and its impact on our future.<\/p>

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