The Lives of Animals
“It is true that animals are usually not able to participate in their liberation, but they behave differently when they are liberated and have better living conditions.”
— Speaking Beyond Language: Lin May Saeed Interviewed
SONIC ROOM
WITH AUDIO WORKS BY:
Izabela Dłużyk, Simone Forti, Nathan Gray, Jonáš Gruska, Kathy High (together with Michelle Temple, Matt Wellins), Anne Marie Maes, Charlemagne Palestine, Jean-Claude Roché, Lisa Schonberg
Laughing rats, inaudible frequencies in the Amazon rainforests and the chirping of birds from different parts of the world are among the many sounds visitors may encounter in the Sonic Room. This unique space has been designed as a place within the exhibition where people can experience the languages of various animals. Besides field recordings, it features audio material created by artists and researchers in fields such as zoomusicology and eco-acoustics (the study of ecological acoustics). The material varies greatly in character. Nathan Grey’s work on frequencies takes the form of a performative lecture. Katty High has been studying the mysterious phenomenon of laughing rats for years. Lisa Schonberg recorded ants in the Amazon rainforests, whereas Izabela Dłużyk works with field recordings from Central and Eastern Europe. The list of works also includes several avant-garde pieces, such as those created by Charlemagne Palestine and Simone Forti.
© image: M HKA
SOUND WORKS:
► PLAY: Izabela Dłużyk, Soundscapes of Spring, 2017. Trumpeters At Sunrise 2’ 42’’
Izabela Dłużyk, Soundscapes of Spring, 2017. Blackbird Has Spoken, 5’ 26’’
Izabela Dłużyk, Soundscapes of Spring, 2017. Dawn On A Meadow, 4’ 34’’
IIzabela Dłużyk, Soundscapes of Spring, 2017. Forest Encounters, 2’ 43’’
Izabela Dłużyk, Soundscapes of Spring, 2017. Tree Trunk In A River, 9’ 37’’
Izabela Dłużyk, Soundscapes of Spring, 2017. Call Of The Night, 3’ 19’’
Simone Forti and Charlemagne Palestine, Illuminations, Alga Marghen, published 2010.: Wed Oct 13th 1971, 12:54
► PLAY: Simone Forti and Charlemagne Palestine, Illuminations, Alga Marghen, published 2010, Piano Piece For Simon, 11:57
► PLAY: Nathan Gray, Critical FLicker Frequencies, 2018, 9’ 56’’
Jonáš Gruska, Spevy , LOM, 2017. Brušky, 3’ 20’’
Jonáš Gruska, Spevy , LOM, 2017. Netopiere, 8‘ 10’’
Kathy High (together with Michelle Temple, Matt Wellins), Rat Laughter, 2023. 20’
► PLAY: Anne Marie Maes, SOUND BEES Anywhere & Everywhere, 2014–ongoing, 15’26”
Charlemagne Palestine, The God Bear Archives I (unreleased tapes from the 70s and 80s), 2024. Fragment: Simone+Charlemagne Roma 1972 #11, 32’ 43’’
Jean-Claude Roché, Birds of Venezuela, 2020.Alapi à sourcils blancs - Myrmoborus leucophrys, 2’27’’
Jean-Claude Roché, Birds of Venezuela, 2020. Barbacou noir - Monasa atra, 7’11’’
Jean-Claude Roché, Birds of Venezuela, 2020. Troglodyte siffleur - Microcerculus marginatus, 6’27’’
Jean-Claude Roché, Birds of Venezuela, 2020. Singes rouges, 2’32
Jean-Claude Roché, Birds of Venezuela, 2020. Amphibiens et insectes, 2’27’’
Jean-Claude Roché, Birds of Venezuela, 2020. Amphibiens et insectes, 3’ 57’’
► PLAY: Lisa Schonberg, Formiphony II, 2024, 8’