The Whispers (Sound Installation) 2008

This intriguing piece, by Christian Boltanski, who sadly passed away recently, is made from concrete, and it is a sound installation. Now, Boltanski’s work often delves into memory and loss, and this pyramid-like structure is no exception. It is made of concrete, and the surface is marked by rows of tiny holes. From these holes, faint whispers of sound emerge, creating an ethereal and somewhat haunting experience. I find this structure so compelling in its quietness. Concrete, a material we often associate with permanence and solidity, is here rendered permeable. The little holes are like pores or openings in a skin, and the whispers suggest the presence of voices just below the surface. This recalls the work of Louise Bourgeois, who made a lot of work about childhood and trauma in a way that felt both incredibly personal and also very archetypal. Boltanski's art, like Bourgeois, it’s all about the layers, inviting us to listen to the echoes of the past and to contemplate the fragility of human existence.