The oyster was a preferred symbol of feminine sexuality in 17th century still life and genre painting, serving as a moral comment or as a token of erotic intent, acting at times as a symbol of purity and at others of the impure. Cries and Whispers is a video triptych consisting of three projections of living oysters. The protective shell, which acts as an interface between the creature and its environment, is removed to expose the unprotected and fragile flesh. In the large projections the glimmering oysters reveal the tiniest movements as they expand and contract under the prying eye of the camera. The images are both sensual and beautiful, but they also possess profounder qualities. The work is characterized by a contemplation of aliveness and the associated finiteness, the intertwining processes of life and death, and shows how all living beings fundamentally are the same.
The title of the work is adopted from Ingmar Bergman’s film Cries and Whispers from year 1972. The film focuses on the lives of three sisters and illustrates the consequences of emotional and physical pain they are afflicted with and how they struggle to deal with their suffering.
CREDITS
Director: Saara Ekström, camera: André Bijma, editing: Saara Ekström, André Bijma
SCREENINGS and EXHIBITIONS
2002 Ars Fennica, Hämeenlinna- and Lappeenranta Art Museums, Finland
2002 Faunomania, Röda Sten, Gothenburg, Sweden
2008 Liquid Life, The Nordic Water Colour Museum, Skärhamn, Sweden
2016 Luscious Thrills – Baroque reflections, Gammel Holtegaard, Denmark
2016 Nature Morte, Konsthallen Bohuslän Museum Uddelvalla, Sweden
2017 Nature Morte, Guildhall Art Gallery, London, GB
2017 Nature Morte, National Museum Four Dome Pavilion, Wroclaw, Poland