Là Ensamble, (2024)

Là ensemble

11X 16mm projectors and speakers, latex screens

Là ensemble is an audio-visual installation of eleven 16mm projectors and latex screens. The eleven loops projected travel along route 3199 that Chantal Akerman took, between Arad and Masada, in Al-Naqab desert in Israel/Palestine. It steps into the landscape by looking through various devices (film and video) at native as well as imported plants. The work focuses on the role their distribution plays in the definition of a location or a landscape, and how they are witnesses, as well as instruments of history writing.
Each projector is looping a short visual poem that represents a certain aspect of this particular desert’s environment – conditioned by the Israeli occupation of the land.
Through optical sound, each projector is playing the note ‘la’ (A). Each note was contributed by a particular musicians and friends. An imaginary and temporary community is created through sound, in a never-ending ever-changing sound composition.
A rupture of silence is created every few minutes, creating a space of return, a cut. Where the visitors become aware of their environment and are confronted with their participation within this temporary space holding.

Sound mix Laszlo Umbreit
Lab Color by Dejonghe, Kortjik
Produced by Messidor and S.M.A.K

Featuring sounds by: Franziska Aigner, cello; Eden Tinto Collins & Nicolas Worms, synth and vocals; Ychaï Gassenbauer, clarinet; Roman Hiele, contrabas; Clara Levi, violin; Julie Michael, viola; Anna Muchin, vocals; Ofer Smilansky, physical modelling, guitar strings tuned to la; Sefi Zisling, trumpet; Bouchra Lamsyeh, vocals; Yoav Beirach, contrabass; Laszlo Umbreit & Nicolas Gerber, vintage Moog Synthesizer with playing with metallic disc reverb unit; Eitan Efrat, flute.

Là ensemble is part of Là

Supported by Kunstendecreet, S.M.A.K and Messidor