SYRINX
2022

Instalation and Performance


"Syrinx" is a sculptural and sound piece that consists of an air pocket and a series of (4 to 14) drones built from everyday objects and gleaned materials, transformed into a musical instrument inspired by the vocal organ of birds. In its performative aspect , body and object condition each other. The manipulation of the object by the performer, through the combination of subtle touch, pressuring, or the tapping of the plastic bag, triggers a variety of textures and timbres that add layers of depth, tension and chaos to the composition. Likewise, the force of the variation in air pressure with the tension of the plastic bag forces the performer to improvise movements and positions of effort, in a constant “fight” between performer and the plastic bag, until eventually, and in an apparent way, both blend into one body. “Syrinx” thus involves itself in a relationship between subject, object, movement, sound and the unlimited potential of re-appropriating everyday materials into sound instruments and creative expression. In several variations of its format, “Syrinx” was presented for the first time in Essen and at the Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Fundação de Serralves (Porto) in 2022 in collaboration with choreographer Luisa Saraiva for the piece “Tirana”, it was also shown at TBA (Lisbon) and at Radialsystem in Berlin (2023). In its solo format, it debuted at “Night Magic” curated by Gabriel Ferrandini, at Galeria Zé dos Bois in Lisbon (2023).








Photography by Dinis Santos



SYRINX (4 bagpipe instalation for “Tirana” by Luísa Saraiva) 2022




Activation of SYRINX installation during Luisa Saraiva's performance "Tirana", in O Museu como Performance, Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art, Porto. https://www.serralves.pt/en/atividades-serralves/form-nU1kcGdswi/ 
Photography by Dinis Santos.





SYRINX (4 bagpipe installation for Tirana), Museum Folkwang, Essen, Germany.




Activation of SYRINX during “Tirana” by Luísa Saraiva in Teatro do Bairro Alto, Lisbon, 2023.
Photography by Diana Tinoco/TBA



Photography by Diana Tinoco/TBA


Photography by Diana Tinoco/TBA




Photography by Diana Tinoco/TBA




SYRINX (detail)






Video teaser for "Tirana" by Luísa Saraiva (2022)



TIRANA by Luísa Saraiva

TIRANA is an immersive sound choreography that explores singing physicalities and the limits of the female voice, both in pitch and volume. The work addresses gender issues through the production and interpretation of sound. Inspiration is gathered from Portuguese folk songs and female polyphonic repertoire, which are traditionally sung in a loud and expansive manner and address themes of female labour, motherhood and violence. Sound artist, Inês Tartaruga Água, created an instrument for the work, bringing vast attention to the haptic nature of sound and the relationship of different resonant bodies in space. By creating movement and sound landscapes, we search for spaces in between, from breath to song.

Choreography, Artistic Direction: Luísa Saraiva
Sound installation, instruments and activation: Inês Tartaruga Água
Performance: Alice Heyward, Fabíola Augusta, Luisa Fernanda Alfonso, Luísa Saraiva
Outside ear & Dramaturgic support: Francisco Antão
Research: Alice Heyward, Luísa Saraiva, Julius Gabriel
Costumes: Isabelle Lange
Light Design: Thaís Nepomuceno
Research and breath training: Sudeep Kumar Puthyaparambath
Vocal coach: Fabíola Augusta
Production direction: Apricot Productions (DE); Joana Silva (PT)
Aknowledgement: Grupo de Folclore Terras de Arões, Grupo de Cantares do Paúl, Arnaldo Saraiva, Niklaus Bein, Alex Sandro Malheiro

Production: Crybaby GbR and Associação Calote Esférica.
Co-production: Fundação de Serralves and Museum Folkwang.
Supported by Nationale Performance Netz Stepping Out, Financided by Minister of State for Culture and Media for NEUSTART KULTUR. Assistance Program for Dance, Kunststiftung NRW, República Portuguesa - Cultura/Direcção Geral das Artes and Kulturamt der Stadt Essen.
With the support of CAMPUS Paulo Cunha e Silva.