Astrit Ismaili: LYNX

Julidans and Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam jointly present Astrit Ismaili's performance LYNX. In LYNX, the artist works with newly designed musical instruments consisting of long threads conjoining performers with metal sculptures and repositories of sound. By unwinding these threads, performers activate a plethora of sound fragments sourced from art, popular culture and politics. Using their voices the performers intertwine these sounds with original songs composed by the artist. As a result, an ever-shifting constellation of strings and a cacophony of sounds emerges. ‘Materializing’ the sounds in space these threads create physical borders for performers and viewers alike.

LYNX brings together songs and sonic materials touching upon themes of melancholy and violence, restriction and resistance, desire and perseverance – taking cue from the nearly extinct Balkan lynx. Posing vital questions about geopolitical borders, the performance-installation is punctuated by high-camp choreography and songs delivered by an all-star cast. 

LYNX successfully premiered in 2022 at the 14th edition of Manifesta, the European Nomadic Biennial, in Prishtina, Kosovo.