"This is art as an act of kindness. In this sound piece, which you can hear at the Kassel train station, artist Susan Philipsz has recorded the music of Holocaust victim musician Pavel Haas. It is said that Haas imagined this beautiful Study for Strings as he left the station on his way to concentration camp, and death. He heard his music only once, undoubtedly in dire circumstances, in the camp; Haas was killed, and manuscript to his music lost. Here, Philipsz reconstructs each instrument’s part, and has it play hauntingly across the platform, and beautiful homage to a wonderful musician – a stranger the artist never met. I think this artwork is a gift to all of us, who may never have heard Haas’ beautiful music, and it is a great gift to the man himself. Philipsz, you have done truly a beautiful thing with this artwork, in every way. Thank you."
words for the spirit
Susan Philipsz: Sound As Invisible Sculpture
Art on the Tracks at dOCUMENTA
vimeo: Spring 2013 Talks: Susan Philipsz 1:22:25
vimeo: Susan Philipsz, Study for Strings, at Documenta 13
YouTube: dOCUMENTA (13) SOUNDINSTALLATION AM BAHNSTEIG KASSEL-HAUPTBAHNHOF
2011 April: Susan Philipsz, Lowlands (2009)
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