Echoes of Athanor is a site-responsive audio work blending storytelling, research, and Venice’s soundscape. Rooted in Sigmar Polke’s 1986 Athanor, it guides listeners through his legacy, the history of the German Pavilion, and the ecosystem of the Venetian lagoon. Based on an evolving script, the project weaves together facts, ekphrastic descriptions, and reflections on the contemporary relevance of Polke’s 1986 work Athanor.
Developed in a first-time collaboration between art historian Francesca Valentini and sound artist Fabrizio Saiu, the audio piece brings together artistic creation and art-historical research. The production will be performed live in Venice and Cologne in the spring and summer of 2026.