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.
It premiered with performances in Venice this spring and will be presented for the first time in Germany on July 10, 2026, in the form of two sonic walks at the IICC.
