Rayleen Clancy and Beatrice O’Connell

Mutualism

A Speculative Ecofeminist Film and Installation

MUTUALISM by artists Rayleen Clancy and Beatrice O’Connell, an immersive ecofeminist exhibition running from December 7, 2024, to January 11, 2025. Curated by Simon Fennessy Corcoran and presented by Éanna Byrt. This collaborative project, the result of two years of creative dialogue, explores the convergence of human, animal, and feminine energies.

MUTUALISM brings together video works, assemblages of salvaged materials, and an aesthetic rooted in the absurd and playful. The exhibition evokes the charm of early cinema, puppet shows, and shadow play. MUTUALISM provides an alternative perspective inviting open-ended questions about the potential for mutualistic coexistence between all living beings.

At the heart of the installation is a short experimental film that follows an overwhelmed housewife in her kitchen-laundry room, who stumbles upon a portal to another dimension. Transformed by this mystical encounter, she uncovers her own divine feminine—a personal revelation that hints at a broader potential for mutualistic coexistence with nature. This narrative encourages viewers to consider their own roles in the ecosystem and the possibility for transformation through connection and care. By blending found footage with real-world images, the film offers a hopeful lens on ecological concerns, embracing the potential for positive change through imaginative and collective action.

Artists Rayleen and Beatrice hope to foster a conversation about the interconnectedness of life. Their work invites audiences to reflect on the power of creativity, play, and community in navigating the complexities of our shared environment.