General

BEK Opening Week: Kjersti Sundland: Animaphany work in progress

BEK 17.02.2024 18.30

Published

Animaphany is a mixture of discovery and repetition. What remains and what is added in the translation from one language to another? What happens to the original content when it’s told by new voices? What happens when historical content is reintroduced in the present, and in what direction does the time travel go?

Saturday 17 February
18:30

BEK, C. Sundts gate 55, 9th floor
Free and open for all (no registration required!)

Animaphany is an art project in the form of a five-episode podcast. The title of the podcast is a neologism sprung from animism and hierophany, borrowed from professor of ecology and religious studies, Andy Lechter. The project explores awareness, identity and belonging through oral storytelling and dialogue. Each episode is based on “reenactments” of conversations that have taken place back in time. The various conversations explore the dissolution of stuck thought patterns, the impact of nature and plants on the psyche, our relationship to each other and “the others”. In the conversations, the participants explore how altered states of consciousness can lead to a new understanding of the world and of ourselves. Each episode has a story that links it historically, geographically, mythologically, or ecologically to a place. Recording takes place in Finnskogen, Vestland and Hallingdal. Self-composed sound collages transports the listener to the various recording locations.

Animaphany is a collaborative project between Kjersti Sundland, and musician and producer Martin Mikkelsen. Contributing artist voices in the various episodes are visual artists Renate Synnes Handal, Mekdes Weldehanna Shebeta and Ole Christian Ellestad.

Animaphany is supported with funds from the Visual Artists’ Remuneration Fund.

Kjersti Sundland

Kjersti Sundland is a visual artist living in Bergen. Sundland is concerned with how different mental states can open new forms of thinking and reflection. The works are often based on historical archives and other research material, processed into different narratives through sound, video, sculpture and installation and performance. Music has a central place in her practice, where improvisation and interaction form an important part of the process in the realization of the works.

Accessibility

BEK’s space unfortunately is not wheelchair accessible. Please send us an email at bek@bek.no if you’re using a wheelchair, and we’ll do our best to facilitate your needs. Our space has all gender toilet facilities. Service dogs are welcome. We also provide the option of a quiet room.

Images: 1) Bekhilderen, photo: Kjersti Sundland 2) Bjørndalen, photo: Kjersti Sundland 3) Finnskogen, photo: Kjersti Sundland 4) On the fjord with Arthur Ingebrigt Selstø, Martin Mikkelsen and Mekdes Weldehanna Shebeta, photo: Kjersti Sundland

To the full programme BEK Opening Week 2024