2014
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MindField 2014 Archive
by richardwalshe74
MINDFIELD: OUT OF AFRICA
Electric Picnic’s MindField arena once again takes its place among the ancient trees on the lawn
of Stradbally Hall with a massive programme of challenging debate, inspiring poetry
, literature
and theatre, mind-boggling science, more than a cúpla focail as Gaeilge and much more, all
complemented by the feast for the senses that is the Theatre of Food.
Africa: The Rising Continent
is the theme of this year’s programme, the centerpiece of which is Fergal Keane
Talks Africa - a series of interactive debates about the past, present and future of the continent and its people -
hosted by the acclaimed author and BBC journalist together with Ugandan publisher and journalist,
Andrew Mwenda
and a diverse panel of experts in economics, technology, development and the arts from Africa and Europe.
The
Leviathan
debates, hosted by economist and author, David McWilliams, and supported by the Centre for Irish
and European Security, respond to the threats to human rights defenders in Africa and beyond and explore how
surveillance technologies have become the new weapons of war. The expert panels will also take a long hard look at
our fetish for technological solutions to societal problems and ask whether smart cities will create smart societies.
Technology’s positive potential is also explored with two new elements to MindField:
CoderDojo:
the open source,
global movement of free computer coding clubs for young people sets up shop and Kevin Godley
, of pioneering
music video duo Godley and Crème, will demonstrate his groundbreaking musical platform
Whole World Band
with
live performances beamed in from around the world with Rodney Orpheus and Nigerian-Irish rapper
, Simi Crowns.
In the afternoons, the provocative
History Ireland Hedge School
returns to ask was World War I: a Great War or
a good war and, with a neat hucklebuck, looks into Show bands, beat bands & ballads: youth culture of the ‘60s.
As Sunday morning breaks through, Miriam O’Callaghan will host the riotous assembly that is the
Electric Picnic
Brunch
with comedians, journalists and performers from among the tired and emotional of Stradbally’
s fields. More
chat without the chit returns with the fun “speed-debating” of
Salon du Chat
.
The
Science Gallery Stage
will have Ignite Electric Picnic: High-energy five-minute talks, guaranteed to amaze,
inspire, upheave and amuse; Scientific Sue: A science show for all ages that looks at weird weather and crazy
climate.; Futureproof Live: Newstalk’s weekly science show with Jonathan McCrea will return for an almost-live
festival edition and a jam-packed programme of workshops and demos, inspired by Science Gallery’
s current
exhibition, STRANGE WEATHER.
The Word Stage
, hosted by the inimitable Marty Mulligan from Mullingar features a wealth of poetry
, slam and
musical talent including: Canadian poet and rapper, C R Avery, The Brownbread Mixtape, Dublin’s Underground
Beat, Cúirt Literary Festival Showcase, The Monday Echo, Milk and Cookies, The Whitehouse Poets, Lingo Spoken
Word Festival Showcase, Storymap, Come Here to me, Olaf Tyaransen, The Mary Coughlan Band, Ka Tet, Ska’s
Good Gravy, Cronin, Mojo Gogo, Sinead White, David Donoghue and Clive Barnes as well as many others.
The Theatre Stage
programmed by Dublin Theatre Festival’s Willie White, presents a series of festival-fit
performances from some of Ireland’s most exciting artists including productions from Opera Theatre Company,
performing opera from the movies; Gúna Nua, Dylan Coburn Gray, ANU Productions, Emmet Kirwan (Sarah and
Steve) and Ian Lloyd Anderson (Love/Hate) and Devious Theatre Company.
An Puball Gaeilge
has its biggest ever programme of wild Irish language events including Hector Ó hEochagáin
hosting 70s porn karaoke; Rónán Mac Aodh Bhuí’s Caiberet Craiceáilte; Manchán Magan and Aindrias de Staic;
as well as music, poetry, theatre debate, burlesque, standup comedy and food – all in the medium of ár teanga náisiúnta.
Explore 2014 →
