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‘Last Hope’ by Chiharu Shiota

Musical art by Chiharu Shiota

The Sala Miralls of the Gran Teatre del Liceu is hosting 'Last Hope', the Japanese artist’s latest installation.

On 8 June, in the Sala Miralls of the Gran Teatre del Liceu, a new art installation inspired by Franz Schubert's Winterreise song cycle was inaugurated. Under the name Last Hope, it is inspired by the Last Hope he composed for Winterreise when he learned his death was inevitable. Shiota says: “The music is heavy on the heart since it seems dire. But I see death as a new beginning, not an end. Death is not a limitation of existence or memory. It belongs to the cycle of life as a new state of being.” Death and silence are two concepts that can be clearly seen in Last Hope.

Chiharu Shiota's art is inspired by feelings or intimate emotions and then expanded to more universal things. This can arise, as in the case here, from music that, according to her, awakens some memories. In this installation, Shiota wants to transfer music from sound to image for people to visualize it. One of the elements of the installation is an abstract piano, which is a childhood memory for the author from when her neighbour's house burnt down, and the only thing left was the charred remains of the piano. To Shiota, the burnt piano was even more beautiful than the one before, despite having lost the ability to produce any sounds.

You can visit Last Hope for free on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm until 27 July. You can book your tickets here. To support the Liceu de les Arts, you can make a donation when booking.

Publication date: Thursday, 24 June 2021
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