Voice Over

The new group exhibition Voice Over, curated by Maayan Sheleff (1976, Tel Aviv, Israël), attempts to listen to exiled voices, as they resonate via art works from all over the world.

On view from 20 October 2020 until 28 February 2021

The new group exhibition Voice Over, curated by Maayan Sheleff (1976, Tel Aviv, Israël), attempts to listen to exiled voices, as they resonate via artworks from all over the world. Voice Over is about a less visible but very topical form of exile: not imposed to be able to physically control people, but to silence them. The exhibition shows a wide variety of works that explore the political power and possibilities of the human voice: from poetic sculptures and video essays, to participatory documentaries with displaced communities.

Exiled voices

Guest curator Maayan Sheleff saw the world changing beyond recognition during the making of this exhibition: “The coronavirus pandemic has struck, and the response to it around the globe seem to enhance the issues that Voice Over deals with.”

In recent years, extreme expressions of nationalism, xenophobia and isolationism have emerged worldwide, leaving a growing number of individuals and communities unheard. Some voices claim to speak for others and thus leave no room for polyphony. The participating artists explore the possibilities to protest against these forms of violence and exclusion. They explore the ability of the human voice to break through boundaries and remove prejudice.

The artists look at their role as political actors. They wonder if they can give a voice to those who are being silenced and also show how difficult it is to represent another. They explore the area between speaking and silencing; they ask who gives voice to whom; how can we really listen, and is this enough?

Guest curator: Maayan Sheleff

Participating artists: Basel Abbas & Ruanne Abou-Rhame, Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Yusra Abo Kaf, Effi & Amir, Shilpa Gupta, Katarina Zdjelar, Domenico Mangano & Marieke van Rooy, Amir Yatziv