Broken Hearts Requiem

Tonight is the launch of Phoebe Collings-James' 'Broken Hearts Requiem' @ The M.E.N Gallery on Redchuch street, Shoreditch.

"Broken Hearts Requiem is a 16 screen video installation displaying an

ode to the lonely. It is a look at the ways in which humans

communicate sorrow in public and private and how emotions are

universally translated into songs for everyone to attach their woes to.

The piece takes its direction from the sorrowful act of wailing which led

the artist to youtube where she probed into public, commercial and

ritualistic displays of this act.

The love song recited by both men and women, but most frequently

howled by the female has a poignant role when it comes to public and

commercial wailing. It asks and often expects the audience to be able

to tap into their own memory bank of past love. Pulling on the listener’s

heartstrings, the pitch and melody resonate in a very basic and

immediate way.

What is it to perform emotion? It is almost like a re-enactment, in many

religions preaching and repetitive chanting are used as a way to drive

people into an almost ecstatic state of wailing, whipping congregations

into an emotional frenzy. Similar scenes can be witnessed at a concert

with both singer and their “congregation” in a heightened state of

emotion led by the lyrics over melodical weeping and screaming of

empathy.

As with all of her work, Collings-James does not attempt to condemn or

point fingers as to what is or isn’t a valid form of communication. She is

interested in what both the viewer and performer get out of a process

that seems almost cathartic at times. To sing a broken heart might help

towards mending it?

The exhibition itself will be an experience. As you enter the darkened,

enclosed space, the 16 faces of prominent female singers will slowly be

revealed building to a crescendo of sound, and floor to ceiling visuals

that will leave the viewer overwhelmed and the passer by fascinated."

Opening times:

Tonight 6-11pm

25th-31st March 12-8pm

Go & have a look!