Part of Aidan Hickey’s Ulysses series, which was exhibited in Zurich, at the UB Law, as part of the exhibit “James Joyce, Ulysses, and the Law” (April 15 to May 18, 2025).
“In this account of his public life, Bloom and friends follow the coffin of Paddy Dignam to Glasnevin Cemetery.
Although the episode presents a panoramic view of Dublin, I focused on the famous graveyard and on Jewish Bloom’s curiosity about Catholic ritual. It is a solemn occasion – the ghosts of Parnell and Daniel O’Connell may be present. But Bloom’s attitude to the death of his friend is calm and practical. Mortality is just another fact of life. He even fantasizes about the benefits of providing telephones for those who might be buried alive.
His way of thinking made me think of the innocent grandeur of Folk Art … and the Douanier Rousseau (i.e. Henri Rousseau).”
Aidan Hickey