Natascha Süder Happelmann for German Pavillon at Venice Biennale 2019
Technical Direction and production managment for the musical programme
A work by Natascha Süder Happelmann
Ankersentrum (surviving in the ruinous ruin)
In collaboration with Susanne Sachsse, Jessica Ekomane, Maurice Louca, DJ Marfox, Jako Maron, Tisha Mukarji, Elnaz Seyedi, Kooperative für Darstellungspolitik, Maziyar Pahlevan, Sina Ahmadi, Jasper Kettner and many others.
Curated by Franciska ZólyomCurator of the musical programme: Manuela Benetton
Presented at 58th International Art Exhibition of la Biennale di Venezia - Deutscher Pavillon 2019
Venice, 8.5.2019 – Some spaces are ruins as soon as they are created, and consequently irreparable. But can ruins also cause permanent damage, can they be persistently ruinous?
The artist Natascha Süder Happelmann and her personal spokeswoman Helene Duldung, who appeared together at the pavilion’s first press conference in October 2018, now present the artistic contribution for the 58th International Art Exhibition of la Biennale di Venezia to the public – for the duration of the Biennale Arte 2019, the German Pavilion will be declared an Ankersentrum.
In search of the unstable forms and possibilities of survival, resistance and solidarity, ruins are continually occupied, rededicated, rebuilt, inhabited. While the ruin itself is of less interest, its appropriation is a matter of extreme urgency.
The Ankersentrum consists of an expansive installation; its structural, sculptural and sonic elements open up the space of the german pavilion for an immediate somatic experience. six musicians and composers from various musical backgrounds and genres have created contributions for the sound installation tribute to whistle. The main instrument used here is the whistle; its piercing tone is processed into a variety of rhythms and sounds. the six sound contributions for eight channels are played through 48 loudspeakers mounted on a scaffolding structure. they are heard in constantly shifting constellations. This, along with the movement of visitors inside the room, generates changing sound spaces.
During the Biennale Arte concerts featuring the work of the participating composers and musicians are held in Venice. In July Deutschlandfunk Kultur broadcasts live recordings of these concerts as part of the series con-tribute. The broadcasted pieces are also available on the Deutschlandfunk Kultur website.
