WET NEW KERRTZEN is a audio installation that was part of the exhibition Xenos at Alte Munze, curated by Xoma Collective.
Xenos is the central theme that weaves through this exhibition. The title of the exhibition is a Greek word that translates in English as ‘stranger’, but its sense extends far beyond this simple definition. Xenos expresses the otherness, being a foreigner, the deviation from normalcy- however one might define normalcy, diverging from the usual. Within this exhibition, the diverse manifestations that foreignness can assume in our lives are unraveled. Here, the narratives of seven Berlin-based Greek artists and a London-based Greek artist, as immigrants themselves, navigate the complexities of this phenomenon.
From 14 diverse font-family letters discovered on red MDF on November 26, 2022, a playful recreation formed the phrase "WET NEW KERRTZEN," a portmanteau resonating with the German "Kerzen" (candles). This exploration delves into sounds, voices, identity, and sociophonetics. A graphic score for 6 voices, following precise pronunciation guidelines, will be created, progressing from letters to words. Each voice seeks the "right" phonetic expression. The culmination is a 6-channel sound installation structured by the graphic score, aiming to transcend linguistic hierarchies. In the context of linguistic diversity, often viewed as a threat, the project promotes respect and linguistic agency, challenging norms of standardized language and monoculture prevalent in Western societies. The goal is to foster understanding and unity while discouraging the reproduction of linguistic hierarchies and inequalities.
