For the Special Project 2020-2021, collaborations were established with presentation institutions in the Netherlands. Besides Oude Kerk, presentations by a total of 15 artists were shown at Kunstinstituut Melly (Rotterdam), Stroom Den Haag, Vleeshal (Middelburg) and Casco Art Institute (Utrecht).
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From 18 to 26 September the Oude Kerk in collaboration with the Hartwig Art Foundation will present a sound sculpture by artist Em’kal Eyongakpa. The work he is developing for the Oude Kerk is the outcome of his artistic investigation of the relationship between water and sound. Sounds are the most important medium in Em’kal’s practice.
Sound sculpture
Especially for Amsterdam's oldest building, Eyongakpa developed a sound sculpture entitled: babhi-bεrat 21r. It is an excerpt from babhi-manyɛp/ babhi-bawɛt (series: mbaŋ). Mbi means path, route, (pl babhi). bawɛt means oil, manyɛp means water. babhi-manyɛp/ babhi-bawɛt translated from Kenyang, means waterways/oil routes.Eyongakpa's sound experience spreads through the entire space via wooden pulsating platforms in the centre of the church. The platforms form a path to walk. They convert unprocessed sound recordings made by the artist during nocturnal rites/processions through the city into a physical experience of sound. Nature and outdoor sounds thus find a way inside.
Hartwig Art Foundation
The Hartwig Art Production | Collection Fund was established in 2020 and is part of the Hartwig Art Foundation. The fund stimulates experimentation and creativity at the highest level. Every year the fund supports a group of artists in the creation of new and ambitious work. The artworks are eventually bought by the Hartwig Art Foundation and donated to the Dutch State (Collectie Nederland). In this way, the fund makes a lasting social contribution. For the Special Project 2020-2021 collaborations have been established with presentation institutions in the Netherlands. Besides Oude Kerk presentations by a total of 15 artists can be seen at Kunstinstituut Melly (Rotterdam), Stroom Den Haag, Vleeshal (Middelburg) and Casco Art Institute (Utrecht).
About Em'kal Eyongakpa
Em’kal Eyongakpa graduated in plant biology and ecology from the University of Yaounde 1 and participated in a residency programme at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam. He is known for his travelling research spaces and autonomous art centres: KHaL! SHRINE (Yaounde, 2007-2013), Bɔɔ Bɛtɔk/ɛfúkúyú, (Amsterdam, 2017-present). Visitors are able to see and experience Eyongakpa’s work at various events and exhibition spaces around the world.
