Installation: "Empty
Formalism", ISM Hexadome
Artist: Brian Eno
Venue:
Martin-Gropius-Bau
Location: Berlin,
Germany
Date: 2 April 2018
The Institute for Sound
and Music is a new organization in Berlin devoted to honoring the
creation of electronic music and sound. Their first large project is
the Hexadome, an installation featuring six projectors and a network
of speakers for which a series of artists have created unique works.
Brian Eno's "Empty Formalism" is the first installation for
the Hexadome. It opened on March 29th and runs until April 5th.
Eno's installation
consisted two gradually changing visual patterns, each repeated on
three projectors, and characteristic minimalist ambient music. The
projections were mostly colorful concentric circles with subtle
texture, occasionally interspersed with thick, straight bars. Close
study revealed a minor lack of symmetry between the right and left
sides, but this may have been unintentional. There was a hint of a
line at about two-thirds the way up the projectors that was also
presumably unintended. Otherwise there was little to discern. The
music consisted of long, low drones, high-range tinkles, and
occasional rumbles and washes. There was no beat or melody.
Eno described the work
as meaningless by design, asking the audience to appreciate the
visuals just for what they are, as is usually the case with music, as
opposed to trying to "understand" the work, as is typically
expected with visual art. While the notion is valid, the practical
implication leaves something to be desired. I sat for an hour in a
room with fifty other people, all staring blankly or appearing to
meditate. There was nothing distasteful or offensive, but little to
pull me in or hold my attention. It would've been pleasant or
peaceful or even escapist if I could've erased my awareness of
everyone around me. As it was, it was merely a mostly quiet, oddly
lit, slightly awkward space that made for merely passable
contemplation.
Score: C-
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