Place is the Space (2/3) by Gregory Büttner and Simon Whetham

Throughout betweenEbbandFlow: interstitial spaces Gregory Büttner and Simon Whetham will develop three exploratory durational sound performances in the place and space of the Alter Recyclinghof where the two can communicate and respond to each other by sound but not by sight. Indoor and outdoor spaces will be used and combined. As both artists use the art of field recording in their practices as one way of exploring locations and situations, they will incorporate the sounds of the harbour and the Alter Recyclinghof site in the project.

Traditionally, these types of collaborations require at least some visual communication as well as sonic, so that proposing to interact through only sound almost reverses the current trend of interaction imposed on us by the pandemic and lockdowns.

In three sessions, taking place on three different days, Gregory Büttner and Simon Whetham will be in the same location, responding collaboratively with each each other, the materials and the space of the location, conversing with one another in non-visual, non-verbal ways, but fully utilising the space.

The interstitial space is essential to the project and the performers, whose inspiration stems from marine activity such as sonar, radio transmission and boat horns – all non-visual ways of communicating and exploring at sea.