by Ban Lei
From Ban Lei’s project “153 returning birds”, this workshop will teach you how to make the sound part out of WOOD of this project. “153 returning birds”
The idea for 153 Returning Birds came to Ban Lei during the preparation of his project for the Schlossmediale Festival at Werdenberg Castle (Canton of St. Gallen), where he was Artist in Focus in May 2023. During his visits to the castle, he was struck by the sound of birds and wind outside. Considering the castle’s 800-year history, he imagined that birds and wind transcend time and space. The three sizes of the birds/sculptures/instruments that he created—51 units per size—represent three generations, i.e., grandparents, parents, and children, as a metaphor for infinite time. Visitors can play the “birds”, composing a random assemblage of sounds that unfold a form of intuitive energy. When the “bird sculptures” are activated in the exhibition hall, the surrounding birds hear their sounds and carry them away.