A wonderful new world emerges inside an old church, courtesy of artists Petrit Halilaj and Álvaro Urbano. The duo have rendered an entire hybrid animal kingdom into a menagerie of sculptures – just one element of the new installation which was unveiled today in Venice, Italy.
Saint Lorenzo Church is the place of Lunar set for Uprising Seas, a speculative ecosystem that mixes art with mythology, science fiction and history. This grand piece, which is a full multimedia sensory experience, is until November 3, and the artists have packed many stories (and genres!).
Installation view of “Lunar Ensemble for Uprising Seas”. Courtesy of the artists, TBA21—Academy and Audemars Piguet.
On one side of the church, a majestic and serene egg hangs, appearing to float above, presiding like a celestial body. A fantastical animal world is here too, with 30 sculptures that embody aquatic, terrestrial and avian qualities. The metallic surfaces of these creatures reflect light, drawing in the sublime interior of the desecrated place of worship. Each work of art also serves as a musical instrument – human interaction triggers music boxes and other auditory mechanisms.
Installation view of “Lunar Ensemble for Uprising Seas”. Courtesy of the artists, TBA21—Academy and Audemars Piguet.
Berlin couple Halilaj and Urbano are a couple but rarely work together. The work explores the space between societal realities and norms, while raising many environmental concerns. The traditional Spanish song “Ay mi pescadito” was the springboard for their creation. They explained in an artist statement: “The artwork blurs our binary sense of the world. An egg-shaped moon, aquatic creatures becoming terrestrial and aerial, an orchestra playing a symphony that emerges from the waters and synchronizes with the cycles of the moon; these stories and many more guide our show at Ocean Space. The installation echoes a children’s song, where young fish go to school at the bottom of the sea to study forms of resistance.
Petrit Halilaj and Alvaro Urbano. Courtesy of the artists.
Throughout the installation of the work, various musicians and performers will be present to activate the musical potential of the sculptures. There will also be seagull costumes to allow participants to become animals and blend into the room. The artists will don the seagull costumes during two performances.
The installation is on view with free admission and is one of two works that include “Thus the waves come in pairs”, ocean spaceExhibition 2023. “Lunar Ensemble for Uprising Seas” is a co-commission between TBA21-Academy and Audemars Piguet Contemporary.
Lunar Ensemble for Uprising Seas is presented Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Ocean Space Chiesa di San Lorenzo Castello 5069 30122 Venice
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