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New commission Installation Neon

Teenage Kicks

Deepa Mann-Kler (Northern Ireland)

LUMIERE DERRY-LONDONDERRY 2013

A quotation from the song by the Undertones – “A teenage dream’s so hard to beat” – smiling down on the town in vast white letters.

One of the most successful bands ever to come out of Derry, the Undertones spoke to a generation, reacting against the backdrop of the Troubles by writing songs that reflected on the normality of growing up, of being young and in love. On top of the BT exchange building, Deepa Mann-Kler’s Teenage Kicks lights up a line from one of their most celebrated songs.

Originally from Nottingham, Mann-Kler has exhibited internationally including solo and group exhibitions in Ireland, America, Germany and China. In 2011 she was made artist in residence with the Belfast playwright Martin Lynch. The Centre for Creative Practices in Dublin has selected Mann-Kler’s photography project, Perceptions, for the Migrant Artists On Ireland Series 2013. In 2013 she has been awarded the Individual Artist Award by the Culture Company as part of the Derry City of Culture celebrations. Mann-Kler lives and works in Killyleagh, County Down.

Teenage Kicks was commissioned in collaboration with City of Culture 2013.

Deepa Mann-Kler also created Neon Dogs as part of the Lumiere Derry-Londonderry 2013 BRILLIANT competition for anyone based in or originally from the Northern Ireland with a bright idea for an installation and the artwork was subsequently adapted for Neon Dogs at Lumiere London 2016.

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