The exhibitions Urgent Conversations: Athens–Antwerp and Urgent Conversations: Antwerp – Athens are a collaboration between EMST and M HKA, a theoretical and visual dialogue, based on works from the collections of both museums, which includes more than 70 works structured in 22 topics.
28.04.2017 - 07.01.2018
M HKA, Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen - Leuvenstraat 32, 2000 Antwerpen
EMST, National Museum of Contemporary Art - Kallirrois Avenue & Amvr. Frantzi Str., Athens 11743
Durham made this video with Maria Thereza Alves. It begins as a nature documentary, accompanied by trumpet sounds. Just when the viewer begins to wonder what animals do make such a sound, the sounds of working people and birds reach his ear. This is followed by a visual cue: a procession of people is shown, all blowing bird whistles. The participants perform the strangest acts; the viewer can only guess at their motives. Only when the camera zooms out and shows what was previously left out of sight, we get a hint. The whistlers are making music, while interpreting the sounds from the forest in their own way.