Janet Cardiff: The Forty Part Motet

Hampshire County Council is thrilled to be able to present ‘The Forty Part Motet’ by Janet Cardiff in the Great Hall from 28 January to 20 March 2011. 

The Great Hall provides a unique setting in which to experience Cardiff’s extraordinary work in it’s 10th anniversary year. 

Having already exhibited in New York, Canada and Japan, Janet Cardiff is a truly fascinating international artist who brings a whole new visitor experience to an art exhibition.

The Forty Part Motet  is an enchanting and unforgettable sound installation that will allow the listener to immerse themselves in the moving sounds of ‘Spem in Alium’ by Thomas Tallis. The Forty Part Motet is a recording of the forty separate voices, played back through forty individual speakers, in a unique and uplifting performance that enables the listener to place themselves in the heart of the choir as waves of sound wash over them. Sung by Salisbury Cathedral Choir, Latin chants echo off the historic hall walls.  

Janet Cardiff comments: “Even in a live concert the audience is separated from the individual voices. Only the performers are able to hear the person standing next to them singing in a different harmony. I wanted to be able to ‘climb inside’ the music connecting with the separate voices.”

Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, Councillor Margaret Snaith-Tempia, said: “It is such a wonderful achievement to be able to accommodate internationally renowned artists such as Janet Cardiff. The 13th Century Great Hall provides a unique venue which adds to the ambiance in which the artist can display their work.

“Janet’s installation follows on from the success of previous exhibitions held in the Great Hall which have included Bill Woodrow and Antony Gormley. In staging this event we hope to add to Winchester’s reputation as a venue for world famous art while bringing this remarkable experience to the people of Hampshire, offering them the opportunity to experience contemporary art at its very best.”

To enhance the impact of this exhibition it will be linked to a number of lectures and activities. For more information visit: www.hants.gov.uk/janetcardiff

Hampshire County Council is committed to becoming a place where people of all ages have the opportunity to experience high quality contemporary visual art.  Contemporary art can add considerably to the meaning and experience of an historic place as well as boost local tourism and the local economy. The council therefore hopes that staging this exhibition will really add value to visitors wanting to see the Great Hall as well as be a benefit to the local tourism industry.

Janet Cardiff
Janet is a Canadian artist born in Brussels, Ontario in 1957 and currently lives and works in Berlin.

Janet Cardiff has chosen to work in a variety of media, including video, installation and recorded sound. Since 1995 she has gained international recognition for her audio and video walks in which visitors follow her directions through a chosen site and become ‘participants’ in her stories.

Notes to Editors:
Please find attached an short audio clip from the exhibition, a photo of Janet Cardiff