New Projects by Austrian-born Leila Hassan at ISSUE Project Room
Image: Philippe Gerlach
February 6 | 8 PM
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Experience new projects by Austrian-born multidisciplinary artist Leila Hassan and Selwa Abd (Bergsonist) at ISSUE Project Room.
About the Event
Hassan’s newest installation, hydro phōnḗ, weaves together audiovisual elements and linguistic play, drawing from the ancient Greek words hydro (water) and phōnḗ (voice or sound). This fusion investigates the connection between language and water, inviting the listener to consider the meaning carried by water’s sound. In this work, Hassan amplifies the phōnḗ—the “voice” of water—through a speaker that echoes its resonance. Hassan channels this ancient ingenuity through handmade, round ceramic vases designed to embody the essence of water. These vases possess a sonic body, functioning like a fountain within a fountain, reaching depths that feel almost subterranean. hydro phōnḗ bridges ancient and modern techniques, analog and digital mediums, creating a space reminiscent of the hidden Riads Hassan has encountered in Morocco’s old towns: intimate, concealed, and resonant with timeless echoes.
Also, Bergsonist returns to ISSUE this February with a new iteration of As If Reality?, a multimodal work-in-progress series first presented during her 2022 residency in collaboration with Harvestworks. Her latest work will continue to explore the mind-bending journey between nonvirtual and virtual worlds.
About the Artists
Leila Hassan: Leila Hassan is an Austrian-born visual artist and distinct speaking voice. She talks mainly through her textiles, light sculpture, and ceramic works, and gives voice and life to radio plays, poetry, and interpretation of other worlds. She is founder of the music & art project Sea Urchin with Francesco Cavaliere. Image Credits: Philippe Gerlach
Selwa Abd (Bergsonist): Selwa Abd is a Moroccan-born artist and composer based in New York City. Her prolific and thought-provoking output challenges critical questions surrounding the future of technology, her own fragmented personal identity shaped by the complexities of post-colonial urban environments, and the influence of virtual realities on contemporary society. Image Credits: Tyler Jones