Denis Kehoe has visited and used Outhouse in the past year for a series of performance pieces and collaborative photographic exhibitions as his alter-egos Esther Raquel Minsky and Oscar Esterson. He also read an excerpt from his novel “Nights Beneath the Nation” on Culture Night. He lets us know how he has been keeping busy lately and what he misses about the centre while it has been closed.
How did you use Outhouse when it was open?
I used Outhouse mostly for the café and the library. I had an exhibition on in The Red Room in December/January and did an opening and closing performance for it.
How are you connecting during Lockdown?
To be honest, I have been very busy with work and other projects, so I haven’t been very social. If I do chat to family and friends, it is by phone or on Facebook mostly.
How is your time occupied during lockdown?
I lecture at NCAD and it is coming towards the end of the year, so I have had lots of essays to correct. There has also been lots of
online teaching and meetings. I have been trying to do some work on re-writing my new novel and have been doing some new photos of my alter-egos. You can see them on Instagram – @estherraquelminsky and @oscaresterson1900. There has also been lots of walks, runs and a few swims.
What do you miss about Outhouse?
I miss the staff who are real diamonds. I have gotten to know the better since the exhibition and they were amazingly helpful and supportive when I was putting everything together. Great chats with Leanne, Sarah and Martin. I miss sitting and writing and dreaming in the café, reading in the library and generally the space. It is a really special building and is a great inspiration.
