Tremble Tremble

The research proposed that the curatorial practice of Tessa Giblin could be combined with the artistic practice of Jesse Jones to produce a performative exhibition, which was ultimately selected to be the national representation of Ireland at the Venice Biennale. The resulting ‘Tremble Tremble’ connected women’s struggles in the 21^st century to the middle ages – specifically,the historical oppression of women resulting in the witch trials, to the primitive accumulation of capital. ‘Tremble Tremble’ was furthermore developed in the context of Ireland’s then-nascent agitation towards repealing the 8^thamendment, and culminated in an original and powerfully impactful exhibition, which has since toured internationally to great acclaim.

By collaborating closely, the curator and artist were able to develop a ground-breaking new exhibition form, and from this have created the term ‘Exhibition Dramaturg’, to describe the ongoing curatorial work engaged with staging the artwork.

The exhibition was designed to reference and propel the national conversation about women’s rights in Ireland, and to take that struggle to the international stage. The success of ‘Tremble Tremble’ inplaying a role in motivating this national conversation was a result of the forcefulness of its form – the exhibition, with its immersive and sensorialform, enabled audiences to have a reflective and imaginative connection with women’s rights. The quality of critical reflection and subsequent international touring life of ‘Tremble Tremble’ testifies to its impact both on individuallives, but also on communities engaged in womens’ struggles.