Approaching Medieval Poetry through Arts Practice

A seminar by Dr Katerina García (School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies TCD) as part of the School of Creative Arts Research Forum.

The objective of the  presentation will be to explore the potential of artistic research as a mode of discovery and form of knowledge production, with concrete application to the interpretation of Medieval lyrical poetry. The discussion will be based on a case study, the audio-visual project Cantiga I : Tonnta Farraigí Vigo (2023-), which sees the translation into Irish and subsequent re-contextualisation, and new interpretation of Cantiga I “ do mar de Vigo” by Martín Codax (13th c). One of the most iconic and exquisite examples of Galician-Portuguese cantigas damigo, or lyrical songs of the beloved, through this new interpretation the poem transcends geographical and cultural boundaries and becomes associated with the Irish tradition of the Camino by Sea; through the performative act, text and music acquire new meanings, to become a site of collective memory, a space for remembrance and, ultimately, a powerful medium for the expression of spirituality.
Dr García will discuss the ability of artistic research, through its combination of critical enquiry with artistic practice, to open the way to potential new readings and interpretations of the poetic text, and make a relevant contribution to the body of existing knowledge.

Suggested reading:
Bell, Aubrey F. G. (1923) The Seven Songs of Martín Codax. The Modern Language Review. Vol. 18, n. 2. (162-167).
For a brief description:
Sharrer, Harvey L. (2018) Seven Songs for an Absent Lover. Available at Medievalists.net
https://www.moleiro.com/en/press/seven-songs-for-an-absent-lover.py
(Excerpt from the Preface of the commentary volume of the Facsimile Edition of Pergamino Vindel, M. Moleiro Ediciones).
For a detailed analysis, in English:
Cohen, Rip (2015) The Cantigas of Martin Codax, edited with Commentary and Prolegomena. Unpublished, available at Academia.edu.
https://www.academia.edu/60417377/The_Cantigas_of_Martin_Codax_edited_with_commentary_and_prolegomena_2015_?auto=download


About the speaker:
Dr Katerina García is Assistant Professor in the Department of Hispanic Studies, School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies, Trinity College Dublin.
Her main research interests and current areas of publication are: The Historical and Socio-Cultural contexts of Judeo-Spanish language use and Judeo-Spanish literary creation, with particular attention to the novel En torno de la Torre blanca (Paris,1982) by Sephardic author Enrique Saporta y Beja; Multilingualism as a defining feature of the Sephardic Jewish experience; World Music Traditions; Contemporary interpretations of Judeo-Spanish secular song; Language and Music as spaces for the expression of individual and collective memory and identity.
Katerina García is also a critically acclaimed singer. She regularly collaborates and has performed with international musicians across diverse genres, both in Europe and in the USA. To date she has recorded 6 albums of song material from Ireland, Spain and the Sephardic diaspora.

Please indicate if you have any access requirements, such as ISL/English interpreting, so that we can facilitate you in attending this event. Contact: klineh@tcd.ie