United State of Acedia II : You don't have to tell me Mr Jan Ader
Channel: Olwen Coughlan
Date: 2010-01-27

short video which in part, is a response to 'Bas Jan" Ader's work " I am too Sad to tell you"
T h e U n i t e d S t a t e
o f A c e d i a
Acedia is a word ancient Greek describing a
state of listlessness or torpor, of not caring or not
being concerned with one's position or condition
in the world. It can lead to a state of being unable
to perform one's duties in life. Its spiritual overtones make it related to but distinct
from depression. Acedia was originally noted as a problem among monks and
other ascetics who maintained a solitary life.
"You should realize that as soon as you intend to live in peace, at once evil comes and weighs
down your soul through acedia, faint-heartedness, and evil thoughts. It also attacks your body
through sickness, debility, weakening of the knees, and all the members. It dissipates the
strength of soul and body. ... But if we are vigilant, all the temptations fall away."
- Amma Theodora
My work is an exploration into the effect that severe bouts of apathetic thought
have on me and ( the general populace)  how on several occasions I (We the irish Nation) have succumbed entirely to it and
have allowed myself/Ourselves to fall prey to Acedia.
I have decided I must protect us from it. I must stand sentry and remain
vigilant. I must fight with all I have to stave off the Demon Acedia.
If I fail to do this, I fear that we may end up in a permanent State of Acedia. My only
way of combating Acedia lies in my work and the repetitious nature of visuals I
make. Through constant repetition and production I disallow myself to fall siege
to Acedia. My work is also about the role oneself has to take on in order to
change any given situation.