The official anthem of the European Union, heard at numerous political, cultural and public sporting events, is the “Ode to Joy” melody from the last movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, "a true 'empty signifier' that can stand for anything," begins noted theorist Slavoj Zizek in his essay for this well-designed artist's book in which the American and Cuban Conceptual artist collaborators Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla present their reflections on this ubiquitous masterwork. Modified classical instruments, scribbled musical notations, Nazi concerts, historical Turkish musical groups, the pope, Communist propaganda and other archival images are used to great effect.
FORMAT: Hbk, 8 x 10 in. / 80 pgs / 22 color / 27 b&w. LIST PRICE: U.S. $49.95 LIST PRICE: CANADA $67.5 ISBN: 9783865604743 PUBLISHER: Walther König, Köln AVAILABLE: 3/1/2009 DISTRIBUTION: D.A.P. RETAILER DISC: TRADE PUBLISHING STATUS: Out of print AVAILABILITY: Not available TERRITORY: NA LA ASIA AU/NZ AFR
Allora & Calzadilla: Stop, Repair, Prepare Variations on Ode to Joy for a Prepared Piano
Published by Walther König, Köln. Edited by Julienne Lorz. Text by Slavoj Zizek.
The official anthem of the European Union, heard at numerous political, cultural and public sporting events, is the “Ode to Joy” melody from the last movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, "a true 'empty signifier' that can stand for anything," begins noted theorist Slavoj Zizek in his essay for this well-designed artist's book in which the American and Cuban Conceptual artist collaborators Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla present their reflections on this ubiquitous masterwork. Modified classical instruments, scribbled musical notations, Nazi concerts, historical Turkish musical groups, the pope, Communist propaganda and other archival images are used to great effect.
