Research Seminar Series - Night and Fog

Join us for the latest in our autumn research seminar series, organised by the Centre for Audio Visual Experimentation (CAVE) and Concentrationary Imaginaries, when we welcome artist Susan Philipsz.

Scottish born Susan Philipsz is one of today’s leading artists. Her work revolves around a melancholic existentialism and explorations of the human voice. She became well-known through a capella renditions of songs. For the Glasgow International Festival she developed Lowlands, after a ballad from the 16th century, which was later recreated at Tate Britain in London, where it won her the prestigious Turner Prize (2010).

Philipsz is increasingly confronting subject matters of memory, trauma, and mourning, a process which resonates strongly with the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies’ own research. CentreCATH and CAVE research centres have invited Philipsz to come and speak about her recent project for Kunsthaus Bregenz; Night and Fog.

For Night and Fog, Philipsz has deconstructed Hanns Eisler’s soundtrack from the film of the same name (Alain Renais, 1955) into the individual voices of the instruments. Throughout the week the school will present a temporary audio installation in the new Project Space which will become the fulcrum for a series of conversations and demonstrations by Philipsz as well as participating staff, students and those working in cultural industries.

In this open seminar, Susan Philipsz discusses Night and Fog alongside scholars from CAVE and Concentrationary Imaginaries. The venue is Room G.04 in the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies, University Road, University of Leeds.

You are also welcome to join us for a free screening of Alan Renais’ Night and Fog prior to the research seminar. The screening starts at 1.30pm and lasts for approximately half an hour. The venue is the Student Common Room, School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies, University Road, University of Leeds. More information can be found here.
The event is free and aimed at arts professionals, students and staff.

This seminar is part of a programme of events organised by the Centre for Audio Visual Experimentation (CAVE). See here for the full programme. For more information email Sam Belinfante.

Image: Susan Philipsz at Eastside Projects, 2014. Courtesy of Eastside Projects, Birmingham. Photo by Stuart Whipps.