Concert for 7 sculptures and 7 musicians

As part of the exhibition "Thus waves come in pairs", curated by Barbara Casavecchia, Berlin-based artists Petrit Halilaj and Álvaro Urbano present a new installation and performance titled "Lunar Ensemble for Uprising Seas". The work, occupying the west wing of Ocean Space, is an evolving ecosystem comprising over 40 large-scale sculptures of hybrid aquatic, terrestrial, and aerial creatures, set beneath an egg-shaped moon. It evokes new possible forms of life and queer alternative futures, which can be imagined together.

This assembly of silvery transformative beings is perhaps learning to fly to escape predators and heating waters, or perhaps trying to start a new amphibious life, as our common ancestors did millions of years ago, by reacting to changes in the planetary climate. They have gills, fins, wings, bodies, and tails that resound when touched by musicians and activated by performers.

After the first two performances, which took place at the opening of the exhibition and during the opening week of Architecture Biennale, the installation will be activated again in the coming months in the form of "Concert for 7 Sculptures and 7 Musicians."

Part of the cycle “Live Currents”. This performative stream, springing from the many collaborations of The Current III, draws from the interconnections of our Mediterranean enquiries, building on the itinerant and long-term methodology of The Current's curatorial fellowship program.

"Lunar Ensemble for Uprising Seas," 2023 by Petrit Halilaj and Álvaro Urbano is co-commissioned by TBA21–Academy and Audemars Piguet Contemporary.

Music composition by Lugh O'Neill.