In Conversation with:
Oliver Beer
59th Venice Biennale
The Cultivist with Anaïs Lellouche
Oliver Beer, Little Gods (Chamber Organ), 2022 (artist impression)
32 vessels, 32 microphones, speakers, plinths, audio equipment - variable dimensions
Courtesy of the artist and Almine Rech © Oliver Beer
Group exhibition 'Uncombed, Unforseen, Unconstrained'
Collateral Event of the 59th International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia
Curated by Ziba Ardalan, Founder, Artistic and Executive Director of Parasol Unit
April 23 - November 27, 2022 I Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello
The exhibition is organised by Parasol Unit
At the 59th Venice Biennale 2022, Milk of Dreams, we were delighted to host an event in conversation with Oliver Beer at the height of his 24 hour performance Little Gods at the Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello di Venezia.
Animating the architecture of the venue, Oliver’s performance resounced beautifully through the ethereal space.
Oliver Beer, Cyanotype Drawing for Little Gods (Chamber Organ), 2022 (Detail) - Cyanotype print, 51 × 61cm.
Edition of 35.
Courtesy of the artist and Almine Rech © Oliver Beer
Group exhibition 'Uncombed, Unforseen, Unconstrained'
Collateral Event of the 59th International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia
Curated by Ziba Ardalan, Founder, Artistic and Executive Director of Parasol Unit
April 23 - November 27, 2022 I Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello
The exhibition is organised by Parasol Unit
Little Gods (Chamber Organ) was a specially conceived composition, played continuously for 24 hours in collaboration with the musicians from the Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello di Venezia.
Contemplating the power of the space for reflection, faith and music, Beer's performance uses unlikely vessels and hollow objects to resonate sound notes through the space with tiny microphones hidden in each.
“The sensuality of hearing is a beautiful thing.”
Oliver Beer, Little Gods (Chamber Organ), 2022
32 vessels, 32 microphones, speakers, plinths, audio equipment - variable dimensions
Photo: Anaïs Lellouche
Courtesy of the artist and Almine Rech
Group exhibition 'Uncombed, Unforseen, Unconstrained'
Collateral Event of the 59th International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia
Curated by Ziba Ardalan, Founder, Artistic and Executive Director of Parasol Unit
April 23 - November 27, 2022 I Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello
The exhibition is organised by Parasol Unit
Oliver Beer, Little Gods (Chamber Organ), 2022
32 vessels, 32 microphones, speakers, plinths, audio equipment - variable dimensions
Photo: Anaïs Lellouche
Courtesy of the artist and Almine Rech
Group exhibition 'Uncombed, Unforseen, Unconstrained'
Collateral Event of the 59th International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia
Curated by Ziba Ardalan, Founder, Artistic and Executive Director of Parasol Unit
April 23 - November 27, 2022 I Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello
The exhibition is organised by Parasol Unit
OLIVER BEER
Oliver Beer b. 1985, Kent, is renowned for his work spanning across the fields of music, visual art and performance. He studied at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art, University of Oxford, England; the Academy of Contemporary Music, England and Cinematic Theory at the Sorbonne, Paris.
Beer inquires into the transmissions of musical memories and the personal meaning we subject into objects, sounds and ideas. Exploring personal and collective experience, Beer's multi-disciplinary practice unifies audiences through music and performance.
Oliver Beer lives and works between Kent, UK and Paris, France.
Setting up Little Gods (Chamber Organ) in the studio
Photo: Soizic Oger
Courtesy of the artist and Almine Rech
Group exhibition 'Uncombed, Unforseen, Unconstrained'
Collateral Event of the 59th International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia
Curated by Ziba Ardalan, Founder, Artistic and Executive Director of Parasol Unit
April 23 - November 27, 2022 I Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello
The exhibition is organised by Parasol Unit