Written for between feathers with the support from Koda Kultur and The Danish Arts Council
For the string installation Between Strings and four moving musicians
Premiered at mumok – Museum moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig, October 2024

String Theory is a 50 minutes piece written for the 4 musicians of the ensemble, between feathers and the string installation Between Strings, consisting of 7 room-length strings, contact microphones, acoustic and electronic amplification as well as light.¨

Read more about the exhibition and concert at mumok here:

https://www.mumok.at/ausstellungen/between-srings

Visiting Between Strings at mumok was a mesmerizing experience that blurred the lines between sound, movement, and space. The moment visitors stepped into the exhibition, they were surrounded by the deep, resonant vibrations of the long strings stretching across the room. Running their hands along them, they could feel the sound travel through their fingertips, as if the entire space was alive and responding to their touch.

One of the most striking aspects was how the installation encouraged interaction. Unlike traditional exhibitions where art is passively observed, Between Strings invited visitors to become part of the artwork. Many started by hesitantly plucking the strings, then gradually became more immersed, experimenting with different movements to create their own unique compositions.

Attending one of the live performances was particularly memorable. Watching the artists manipulate the strings with precision and intention deepened the appreciation for the installation. It was fascinating to see how the same instrument could produce such a wide range of sounds and emotions—from delicate, whisper-like sounds to deep, vibrating tones that pulsed through the entire space.

Overall, Between Strings was not just an exhibition but a sensory journey.

Between Strings fits seamlessly into mumok’s ongoing musical focus within its art education and collection. The collaboration with the ensemble Between Feathers and composer Kirstine Lindemann highlights the museum’s commitment to exploring the intersections between contemporary visual art and experimental music. Since the 20th century, both fields have been shaped by creative experimentation and revolutionary ideas—an approach that continues in this installation.

I highly recommend other art institutions to curate String Theory in their program if they wish to facilitate a piece that enhances audience engagement and creates unique live experiences that transform the conventional art space with playfulness, poetry and exploration.

Lea Tiernan, Art Education, mumok