Henrik Andersson, 2017
Henrik Andersson’s sound work “Repetition” in Visby Cathedral during Almedalen Political Week
In a collaboration between Visby Cathedral, BAC and Konstfrämjandet – People’s Movements for Art Promotion, the artist Henrik Andersson’s sound work for church bells will ring over Visby daily at 8:00, 12:00 and 20:00 from June 28th to July 9th. In 2005 Henrik Andersson asked organist Anna Stenholm to compose a piece for church bells with an Arabic tone scale. The restaging of “Repetition”, played by musician Ann Helling, is part of a Gotland cultural manifestation during Almedalen Political Week, and serves to remind of us of how music over time has developed through cultural dialogue.
The artist Henrik Andersson about Repetition:
“The question of the origins of music is as topical in today’s Visby as it was in Greece during antiquity 2500 years ago. Because musical harmony could be explained mathematically it made people think that music was something that followed the laws of physics, rather than originated from within culture. People have often sought to control how, when and where music should be played – as it affects us in ways we cannot control.”
Mats Hermansson, Dean of Visby Cathedral:
“Visby Cathedral, Saint Maria, has been at the centre of Visby since 1225 and has always provided a runway for things international, different and foreign. She was built originally for the German merchants in Visby. As a Church and Cathedral she embraces all of her yearly 300 000 visitors. Everybody’s welcome – regardless of the purpose of the visit. The church has always manifested Everybody’s equal worth. This has been the case from its origins and this is still the case all over the world. The Visby Cathedral has named itself the Love Cathedral of Sweden. All love is of God. This is the heritage of the Church: The God of our lives makes way through all the moral rubble, through to each and everyone of us and says: You are allowed to be who you are – Don’t be afraid! Saint Maria is more related to other holy rooms over the world than to other buildings in Visby. We humans have given these holy rooms beautiful names like: Synagogue, Pagoda, Temple and Mosque.
About BAC
BAC – Baltic Art Center is a residency for contemporary art on Gotland. We are an international meeting place in the Baltic Sea region that brings together artists and organisations, that share our engagement in today’s society, in artistic projects. The restaging of Henrik Andersson’s piece for church bells played in an arabic ton scale, together with Visby Cathedral and Konstfrämjandet (People’s Movements for Art Promotion) is a way for us to reflect on recent years political upheavals and to create a dialogue about the role of culture in public space.
About Konstfrämjandet – People’s Movements for Art Promotion:
The People’s Movements for Art Promotion collaborates with its member associations and other art promoters so that art can be present in all parts of society. Artistic thinking is our common ability for innovation and we see art as a way of thinking ABOUT the world. Henrik Andersson’s piece originates from our musical history and shows us how humanity thinks and develops.