Bashir Makhoul, The Darkened Room (video still), 1998
Bashir Makhoul (b. 1963, Palestine) is an English artist originally from Palestine. His video and sound installation, The Darkened Room (1998), is based on the relationship he developed with his grandmother shortly before her death. Because Makhoul had grown up in England while she remained in Lebanon, he only came to know her as an adult. After their first meeting she sent him recorded letters. The soundtrack was taken from these intimate conversations.
The small room in which the piece was housed had a false floor, underneath which the artist installed a sound system. This gave the sound a physical quality, in that it could be felt through the feet as well as heard. Enveloped in the conversation, the visitor’s bodily responses were magnified.
The Darkened Room, 1998
Video and sound installation with photographs
Courtesy of artist
Liverpool Biennial
55 New Bird Street
Liverpool L1 0BW
Liverpool Biennial is funded by
Founding Supporter
James Moores