Inherent
Anri Sala <Ravel Ravel Interval>,
OMA <Maison a Bordeaux>
Anri Sala, Ravel Ravel Interval, French
contribution to the German Pavilion at Venice Biennale, 2013,
20:45 min
©
Emanuel Hoffmann Foundation, courtesy the artist
Wondering why I experienced goosebumps while standing in front of the installation titled Ravel Ravel Interval, I visited the exhibition <Out of Box> at
Schaulager
twice and attended the artist talk in search of the secret behind my visceral reaction. The music was Maurice Ravel's Concerto pour la main gauche, composed in 1930 for the Austrian pianist Paul Wittgenstein, who lost his right arm in World War I. Anri Sala created a spatial experience in which one could hear two pianists and two orchestras playing simultaneously throughout the entire projection. He mainly uses elements with a narrative of war, creating both sonic and spatial effects in his creations.
OMA, Maison a Bordeaux, Bordeaux (France), 1994-1998 © OMA
Intrigued by the aesthetics of Maison a Bordeaux, I was captivated by the use of metal, shimmering curtains, and vibrant carpets on the cement structure. I wondered about the source of this extraordinary atmosphere within the house, so I searched for the building's origins. It was a response to a life-changing accident suffered by the client. This led to a focus on improving mobility and expanding the views from within the house. A central feature of the design was the inclusion of a metal column elevator in the heart of the house, while the overall structure was designed to provide panoramic views.
Both pieces encouraged me to investigate their creation and purpose beyond mere aesthetic appreciation. I could not directly infer the intention behind the use of visual elements and techniques in the work. The narratives embedded within them naturally arouse curiosity, prompting a deeper exploration of the underlying narrative. As I researched and gained insight into the stories behind the works and their creators, their visual language became clear to me. The creation may have started with stories, but the visual style and background have become inseparable. It is inherent in the work that compels me to seek out the story.