Getting to the art of the matter

The relic of a human heart is to be part of a floating art installation honouring migrant peoples in Cork.

Heartship — a new project by artist Dorothy Cross, featuring singer Lisa Hannigan — will celebrate the contribution of the Irish Naval services to the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean.

On Saturday, September 14, the LE James Joyce will sail up the River Lee to Cork from Haulbowline.

On deck will be Lisa Hannigan and the recorded sound of her ethereal voice will emanate from the vessel.

Discovered encased in lead, in a crypt in Cork in 1863, the heart belonged to a person unknown.

It was acquired by General Pitt Rivers, then stationed in Cork, and became part of the extraordinary collection of artefacts housed in the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford.

“Heartship has been haunting me for the past three years.” Dorothy Cross said, “wishing to honour the many hearts of migrant people who disappear below the ocean surface and lie unnamed on the seabed.”

Filmmaker Alan Gilsenan will work with Cross to create a film to embody Heartship.

This will be screened at The Crawford Gallery.

Previous projects by Dorothy Cross include Ghostship.