Takotsubo try-out @ De Markten, August 2024
Takotsubo try-out @ GC Nohva, August 2023
TAKOTSUBO
a sound and video multichannel installation
Takotsubo explores the complexities of the human heart and its dysfunctions. This multichannel sound and video installation blends medical data, custom-made bronze speakers, video, and contemporary dance. Drawing inspiration from the cardiological phenomenon known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or "broken heart syndrome," the project bridges the objective realm of biology with the subjective experience of emotional distress.
At its core, the installation investigates the obsessive nature of pain, particularly emotional anguish, and the way it shapes perception and identity.
The installation’s concept is rooted in the myth of Narcissus, a figure consumed by his own image, which he mistakes for reality. His perpetual unhappiness and eventual demise stem from this confusion—a confusion that mirrors our contemporary reality, where the self (and the selfie) dominates our perception of the world. We are living at a point in history where we are metaphorically drowning in our own reflection.
The installation is a meticulously designed structure composed of two primary elements: bronze plates and mirrors. These elements symbolize the duality of existence—the tangible, biological reality and the intangible, emotional experience. Around 100 bronze plates of varying sizes are embedded with transducers, transforming them into speakers that emit sounds derived from processed medical data from diverse human hearts.
The visual narrative portrays a single character trapped in a repetitive loop of movements, symbolizing the distortion of self-perception through an immersion in a singular, pain-driven perspective.
The interplay between the visual and sonic elements emphasizes the tension between reacting to the external world and retreating into one’s inner landscape. It reflects the profound transformation that emotional pain can inflict, illustrating the struggle between engaging with the world and withdrawing into oneself.
The Sound: multichannel, 60 minutes loop
At the heart of the installation lies a sound composition derived from the processing of medical numerical data collected from 50 individuals over the course of one hour. This data was gathered using a Holter device, which measures the electrical signals of the heart from multiple positions on the body over several hours. The resulting sonic landscape serves as a microcosm, reflecting the interconnectedness of life's intricate systems.
During data collection, each participant reads a text aloud. This recorded data is then used to process and trigger the participant’s voice. The outcome is a polyphonic composition featuring 50 voices, where words and phrases transform into musical elements, their original meanings gradually dissolving.
Within the installation, each bronze element embodies the unique resonance of an individual’s heartbeat. The data is manipulated to follow the same tempo as its original recording, creating a dynamic, ever-evolving sound work. This composition, drawn from the infinite variability and continuous motion of our biological forms, seeks to unify these diverse heartbeats into a seamless, hour-long experience.
In the context of the installation, the voices take on a dual significance. They symbolize the complexity and intricacy of the external world, while also representing a multitude of inner voices—those of the character in the video, and potentially those of the viewer as well.
The Video: loop, 30 to 45 minutes
The video is projected directly onto the bronze plates, creating the illusion of an ethereal being trapped within the material. It depicts a figure seated, mesmerized by their own reflection in a mirror. The loop begins in near stillness, gradually unfolding into a series of movements that increase in complexity, continuously introducing new elements. While these motions seem to build upon one another, they are systematically disrupted, becoming fragmented and disjointed, until they dissolve into mere echoes of their former selves.
The residual gestures are inspired by the movements of individuals affected by a condition once referred to as schizophrenic catatonia. In this state, individuals exhibit minimal movement, with their gestures often disconnected from the surrounding reality. I have collaborated with choreographers and dancers to develop these movements and translate them into visual form. Together, we explore how to interpret these concepts and translate the data into embodied gestures that are then captured in the video.
Through this visual exploration, the project delves into the complex interplay between perception, introspection, and the profound impact of emotional pain on one’s sense of self.
At its core, Takotsubo is a multi-sensory installation that invites viewers to reflect on the intricate relationship between medical science, emotional experience, and self-perception, while also paying tribute to the timeless myth of Narcissus. Through this immersive experience, participants are encouraged to contemplate the deep implications of pain, both in its physiological and emotional forms.
Image Gallery
