Sonica 2013: Whispers @ Tramway

The title Whispers suggests a calmness and quietness that is to be found in Rob van Rijswijk and Jeroen Strijbos' sculptural installation at Sonica. The sound emanates from five white ceramic trumpets, made by artist Pierluigi Pompeï, that hang at varying levels in mid-air, pointing in different directions. They seem to be illuminated by UV light, rendering them party-blue – here a disconcerting colour in the stillness of the space. Coiled on the floor are plastic tubes leading the sound from wrapped-up speakers to their respective instruments.

Visually it stands a little desolate, like a curtain or a trellis, restricted in the centre of the oblong room. A row of three chairs seems to invite the viewer to sit and admire, but the discovery is found in walking around and listening.

The ticking of a clock, the howling of the wind, a helicopter, a bass beat, and laughter are among the collection of sounds one tries to identify while exploring the space. Sometimes, the noise escalates and a flash of light from above floods the room with brightness. The interruption quietens the space and seems to restart the rustling. The desire to find meaning is not satisfied as the trumpets whisper the unresolved soundscape.

Behind the chairs are three map-like objects, each depicting a sequence of the piece with writing, drawings, music bars and notes. It feels like a convoluted add-on, an unnecessary extra. Just like in their piece Walk With Me, the artists have arranged sounds to guide us through the space; it's a shame the installation feels a bit over-controlled here. [Melanie Letore]