IHME Edition 2009
Susan Philipsz new work: After Closedown
The second IHME Edition produced by Pro Arte Foundation Finland is a video work that will have its premiere at YLE Teema TV Channel on September 24 th at 00.50.
The Edition precedes Susan Philipsz future IHME Project 2010, a work of art in a public place in Helsinki.
Philipsz creates sculptures using sound. She is interested in the values related to space and how sound can define architecture. The psychological effects of song and the way songs can evoke immediate emotions and memories, emphasizing the listener´s spatial perception of the self are some of the key elements of Philipsz´ approach. She often uses popular music and film themes as the basis of her art. In her works, she sings - usually a cappella - melancholy tunes that deal with absence, loss and longing.
While doing the background research for the public work of art IHME Project 2010 Philipsz encountered the themes of death and violence of Finnish 19th century Tuonela lullabies. Philipsz is familiar with songs that combine the transitory moment of falling asleep and the moment of death from other cultural connections like movies. This is why the two following compositions of classic horror movies were selected to be the songs of IHME Edition 2009. The connection to movies made it natural to show the work in the context of television.
The first song of the edition is from Robin Hardy´s cult film The Wicker Man (1972) where a simple but effective lullaby is being heard when the main protagonist sergeant Howie is being prepared to be sacrificed. The second song is the Lullaby from Roman Polanski´s Rosemary´s baby (1968). Mia Farrow featuring as Rosemary is humming the lullaby in the opening scene of the film to her yet unborn baby that is to appear to be the son of the devil himself.
In the IHME-edition
entitiled After Closedown
these two film compositions will be heard sung by the artist herself.
The picture frame will be black. The minimalist graphic design of the
work is by Kokoro&Moi.
The lullabies of
Philipsz´ IHME-edition After Closedown
will be broadcasted at YLE Teema TV Channel for two weeks every
24.9-7.10.2009 evening after the closedown of programmes.
Broadcasting time schedule
Thursday 24.9. at 00.50 / Friday 25.9. at 01.15 a.m. / Saturday 26.9. at 01.15 a.m./ Sunday 27.9. at 00.05 a.m. / Monday 28.9. at 00.05 a.m. / Tuesday 29.9. at 00.00 a.m./ Wednesday 30.9. at 00.35 a.m. / Thursday 1.10. at 01.20 a.m. / Friday 2.10. at 00.40 a.m./ Saturday 3.10. at 02.25 / Sunday 4.10. at 00.45 a.m. / Monday 5.10. at 00.20 a.m. / Tuesday 6.10. at 01.35 a.m. / Wednesday 7.10. at 00.20 a.m.