Through light and sound installations, sculptures, paintings and video as well as interactive music pieces Here History Began. Tracing the Re/verberations of Halim El-Dabh (until 09.05.2021) revisits the work and life of Eqyptian composer, ethnomusicologist, musician, pan-Africanist and philosopher, Halim El-Dabh (1921-2017). A result of five years of research, the group exhibition is a comprehensive physical archive and embodiment of El-Dabh’s work and those he has inspired. El-Dabh was largely left out of conversations surrounding the rise of electronic music, something that this retrospective puts right, revealing his great influence and establishing his place in the history of composition. Entering the gallery, one of the first pieces to catch your eye is Leo Asemota’s neon light installation featuring the words “ideas express you”. This notion – that ideas live beyond the physical being – is one that is embodied throughout this show.
Also visible are Lorenzo Sandoval’s archive curtains, which hang from the ceiling and are covered in prints with information and context about El-Dabh and his musical history. The space is dark, creating an almost sombre atmosphere, though light can be seen emanating from a huge screen behind Asemota’s work which presents Black Quantum Futurism’s video piece “Time Travel Experiments” exploring generational paradoxes and voyages through time. The darkness continues as you venture down to Savvy Contemporary’s basement where Vivian Caccuri’s sound installation occupies the room with fleeting noises of mosquitoes flying past you. The basement also houses what used to be an old industrial fridge, a space used here for Emeka Ogboh’s immersive installation of El-Dabh works that merges video, audio and physical elements. Take your shoes off before entering, sit down and let the sounds and rhythms of Halim El-Dabh take over your mind, body and spirit…
Text: Lottie Mac / Photos: Merle Büttner
Savvy Contemporary, Reinickendorfer Str.17, 13347 Berlin–Wedding; map
Thu–Sun 14–19h
Here History Began runs until 09.05.2021
Tickets can be reserved free of charge online. Negative Covid-19 test required.
