Cephea's chanting stones

duo Khurtova & Bourlanges

exhibition at the Bookstore space, Amsterdam, October 2016
curated by Justina Nekrasaite

performance at Paleis van Mieris, Amsterdam, January 2017

We present sculptural translations inspired by a peculiar text dedicated to the constellation of Cephea. Playing with the double etymology of Cephea as “stone” and “head”, the duo explores the fictional narratives superimposed on natural elements like stones, and attempt to give them back their own “voice”. Referring to ritual practices with healing stones found in the Cévennes region of France, Khurtova and Bourlanges experiment with touching over recreated stones, enabling them to “speak”. We invited Maia Lyon Daw and Jonathan Sachse Mikkelsen to play live the ’voices’ of a series of our porcelain stones.

Maia Lyon Daw is an audiovisual artist from the UK, currently based in Amsterdam. Her sound, video and installation work explores new formulations of ritual expression and alternative mythological narratives. www.tidalspectrum.com

Jonathan Sachse Mikkelsen is a multi-disciplinary artist and has collaborated with Maia Lyon Daw on various sound projects such as ‘Bluebard’, ‘Wolf Death and the Acorn’ and most recently on ‘AEOIA’. www.jonathansachsemikkelsen.com