Susan Philipsz: The Fall – A Site-Specific Sound Installation at Oude Kerk, Amsterdam

Oude Kerk presents 'The Fall,' a site-specific sound installation by Scottish artist Susan Philipsz, inspired by the music of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck. The exhibition explores the emotional and spatial dimensions of sound within Amsterdam's oldest building, using the artist's voice to engage with the unique acoustics and historical significance of the space.

Oude Kerk presents 'The Fall,' a profound site-specific sound installation by Scottish artist Susan Philipsz, developed after extensive research within Amsterdam's oldest building. Philipsz, who began as a sculptor and now works with sound, is known for creating immersive environments that alter perception through her arrangements, often using her own voice. For 'The Fall,' she takes inspiration from Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, a pivotal composer whose work laid the foundation for public organ recitals at the Oude Kerk 400 years ago. The installation seeks to engage with this anniversary by adapting Sweelinck's music, allowing Philipsz's voice to resonate within the monumental space and examining its unique acoustics and architecture. In addition to the main installation, Philipsz has developed a separate work for the Collegekamer titled 'Broken Ensemble.' This piece features a sculpture of three organ pipes through which the artist's breathing is channeled, giving life to the instrument and alluding to mortality through the interplay of breath and sleep as metaphors for life and death. Philipsz's work has been exhibited globally, and she is a recipient of the Turner Prize, recognized for her pioneering contributions to sound art.

Visitors can book tickets for the exhibition online. Information regarding general admission and visiting hours is also available on the Oude Kerk website. The exhibition is accessible during the venue's daily opening hours, with slightly different times on Sundays.