Disintegration in Polyphony - Six Elements
Rooted in the philosophy of Wuxing (the Five Elements), the sound art expands the framework by introducing a sixth element: human presence, acknowledging the interconnectedness between natural forces and humanity. Humans as a part of nature, we are all transformative beings, constantly shaped by the forces around us.
Six tape loops were created, each representing a distinct element:
Wind – Field recording from Reynisfjara, Black Sand Beach.
Fire – Field recording from Fagradalsfjall, Lava Field.
Earth – Seismic noise recorded at Fagradalsfjall.
Metal – Field recording from Stykkishólmur Lighthouse.
Water – Field recording from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
Humans – Voice recordings from Reykjavik.
Pieces of sandpaper were attached to inside the cassette players, intentionally degrading the magnetic tape over time, gradually degrading the magnetic tape. This physical erosion embodies transformation and impermanence, mirroring the cyclical nature of Wuxing and the passage of time.
Tape loops, Cassette Tape players, Objects (2022)
Field recordings (Wuxing elements) in Iceland: Wind, Fire, Soil, Metal, Water, and human voice from tape loops.
Disintegration by using sand papers and objects.
Culterim Gallery Kaiserdamm 102 | 14057 Berlin
“The sounds of remembrance like Proust’s Madeleine brings us back to the moment marked by that sound. Just like when we in one moment become aware of all the sounds and all the lives around us. Those subtle little moments somehow manage to resist oblivion and remain recorded in our memories.”
Text by Brigita Sinistaj
