Circular Breathing
Gary Hill

LUMA Arles presents "Circular Breathing" by Gary Hill. The title refers to a technique used by the players of woodwind instruments to obtain a continuous sound without interruption. This idea is echoed in the 5-channel work: five different black-and-white scenes are shown as five vertical projections placed side by side. However, in a rapid cycle that follows a precise mathematical concept, only one video image can be seen at a time. As more images are displayed across the five projections, the speed of the cycle of images decreases, before speeding up again as less images are dispayed and the cycle continues. This creates the effect of an unsettling narrative that steadily builds up and dissipates again. The music, distorted by the speed changes, is recognizable as "Vexations" by Eric Satie.

Tweaklab was responsible for the media planning, digital processing of the work, as well as the installation.

Location: LUMA Arles
Commission: Schaulager
Duration of the exhibition: 23.09.2022–05.03.2023