Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting independent curator, academician, and columnist Nazlı Pektaş at Gate 27 Ayvalık, alongside our current residents, Passepartout Duo. The duo, composed of pianist Nicoletta Favari and percussionist Christopher Salvito, shared their innovative artistic practice, which focuses on sound as a medium of expression, with Nazlı. It was fascinating to observe the dialogue between them, exploring how sound art mirrors other art forms like painting, where sounds, rhythms, and notes replace brush and paint.
Passepartout Duo’s practice emphasizes the ontological exploration of what lies beneath the surface. During Nazlı’s visit, we embarked on a boat trip to a nearby island where the duo has been recording underwater sounds using a specially developed hydrophone. This device, crafted from resin with a density similar to saltwater, captures the subtle sounds of sea life—urchins, shrimps, and scallops—as well as the passing boats. We had the unique experience of listening to these underwater symphonies through a radio and headphones.
What struck me most during our discussions was the duo’s deep focus on the essence of sound as a communication method. They plan to create an installation using old radios to broadcast these recordings, transforming sound into a tactile, spatial experience. Their previous work, like the “Aural Record” project, featured large-scale metronomes symbolizing the scale and time of sound, showcasing their transformative ability to present sound through striking visual installations.
As their residency at Gate 27 progresses, the anticipation for the final artwork they will create is palpable. Their approach to blending sound with space and objects promises to offer a thought-provoking exploration of the unseen and unheard elements of our world, and we can’t wait to experience it.
For more about Passepartout Duo and their work, visit their website.
Burak Mert 