Hoaretraits Ep. 4: Zeitgeist Irland 24 artist Nina Hynes

Hoaretraits is a new series by photographer and podcaster Neil Hoare, that presents contemporary Irish artists that are part of Zeitgeist Irland 24 – the year’s cultural programme of contemporary arts from Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Germany. Conceived of by Hoare as ‘audio portraits’, the podcasts explore themes of creativity, imagination and craft in conversation a diverse range of Irish artists living in both Ireland and Germany.

For Episode 4, Neil Hoare talks with Nina Hynes, an Irish musician and artist living in Berlin since 2007. Hynes is known for merging ethereal electronic sounds with heartfelt, introspective themes, and has always been at the forefront of artistic experimentation. She has released several albums, and toured extensively in the US and Europe, including as support for acts such as Cat Power, Roxy Music and Joan as Policewoman, while also appearing on music TV shows in Ireland such as RTÉ’s Other Voices and No Disco. In addition she has composed soundtracks to a number of independent films. Her latest project, I Am the Machine, is a folk opera sci-fi collaboration with dancer-choreographer Orla McCarthy, debuting on November 29th at Berlin’s Dock 11 as part of Zeitgeist Irland 24. In this episode, Nina delves into the creative process and her evolving artistic vision.

Podcaster Neil Hoare is a multidisciplinary Irish artist living in Berlin with his dog Púca. His most recent photographic work ‘A Heimat away from Home’ is a series of portraits commissioned by the Embassy of Ireland in Germany documenting the Irish who made Germany their home since Ireland joined the EU 50 years ago. The experience of photographing so many people across Germany and hearing their stories led directly to the creation of Hoaretraits.