Throughout August and early September of 2008 Paul Murnaghan traveled through Finland, Estonia, Sweden and Slovenia on a distinctively Utopian endeavor, to compose a universal hymn. The starting point for this project was a Coke advertisement from the 1970’s in which The New Seekers were employed to deliver the lyric: ‘I’d like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony’. As a methodology utilising a musical structure and moral ideology, it was a very effective advertising vehicle. Murnaghan set up meetings using arts groups, databases, media and word of mouth. Eventually interested parties would answer the question: ’if you had the opportunity to compose the opening line of a universal hymn, what would it be and how would you sing it’?

Once this question was considered it it took on a more subjective meaning. This acted as a device to begin a dialogue in each new location and it drove the physical process of gathering video / sound footage. The words 'sing' and 'hymn' were open to personal interpretation, as 'forms of belief' was the main substance being gathered. The composition of the 'Hymn' as exhibited at Platform, mixes visuals and sounds from over one hundred pieces of video footage. The installation consists of a separated triptych of synchronized video works, each piece was only accessible in relation to certain light, time and position within the space.



The 5.1 surround sound 'Hymn' further dissipated cohesion, when moving around the space fragments of visuals would momentarily coincide with their original soundtrack, be silent or contrast. Neocredo was supported by Platform and The Irish Arts Council with assistance from FRAME in Helsinki and The Estonian Academy of Arts in Tallinn.

Extract from panel one - Neocredo

Review from Pohjalainen Kulttuuri, Torstai 25 / 2008 by Maria Niemi. Translation Maria Nordbäck

The work that he constructs develops in sections. The Neocredo exhibition at Platform contains only part of the work. The key for the artist is the whole project which has lasted a lot longer than it's current realization.....

The exhibition is presented through four video works installed within a purpose built installation. Content is provided by Finns, Swedes, Slovenes and Estonians and anyone who was willing to add to this universal hymn. The piece is not documentary film or about musical talents, but rather it opens up the psychology of belief itself. This is a far more conceptual work, which questions what lies behind belief. Maybe you have lost your faith, can you attempt to express that?
The translation of the exhibition title encapsulates the projects content. In Latin 'credo' means 'I believe'. The neo- prefix renews the concept. Murnaghan re-examines our faith.

The exhibition contains three video works, which have been placed in consciously difficult positions, and the fourth video is seen only when darkness arrives. This underscores the importance of content out of reach. Maybe we do not understand our own belief. The sculptural form of the works is also intentional, using conventions of sculpture itself where the sculpture is raised so high on a pedestal that you almost cannot see it. He has commented on this tradition by building a raised pedestal from recycled wood. The three videos are embedded in, lifted up and placed in narrow spaces in violation of conventions.