Birthe Blauth

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Video and conceptual works

2025-2020  |  2019 - 2017 | 2016 - 2011 |  2010 - 2003 ^ | cooperations

A pyramid made of ice hangs upside down in the central bay of the Gothic Church of Our Lady on the market square in Bremen. The pyramid is a symbol of ascent. Here, the inverted pyramid symbolises the descent of melted water to the earth. Similarly, according to medieval ideas, light descends to matter in order to transform it and transform it into the spiritual. Formally the pyramid corresponds with the pointed arches pointing upwards, which resemble a rounded pyramid. It is hung in such a way that the pointed arch and pyramid together form an hourglass. This symbolises the transience of all earthly things, a vanitas symbol.

 

The ice pyramid is melting. But it does not disappear. It transforms from a solid to a liquid state of water. The water is collected in a bowl on the floor. The bowl on the floor is large enough to hold all the melting water.

 

The visitors sit on benches like in a theatre around the central yoke and watch the unstoppable disappearance of the pyramid and its

transformation into drops of water that fall to earth. The melting process is inevitable. There is nothing you can do, only watch passively. Due to the excellent acoustics of the church, every drop can be heard throughout the space.

 

The decrease in volume of the pyramid can only be perceived at certain intervals. The sound enables a finer perception

of the disappearance of the ice. We hear the disappearance with every droplet sound.

SAT1 regional, 16.02.2024

buten un binnen, 14.02.2024

NDR Kultur, Philipp Cavert, 16.02.2024