and and and

suspended neon light on acrylic panel
37 x 60 x 40 cm

and and and is a neon light installation inspired by Paddy Ladd, a renowned Deaf scholar, author, activist and researcher of Deaf culture.

The piece is motivated by the vision of breaking down the stigma surrounding deafness, bridging the linguistic divide and promoting the inclusion of sign language in education systems.

Rooted in a critique of oralism, the Cyrillic sign language letter “И” – translated as “and” – points to the distinction between biocentric phenomena of hearing and expanded listening practices. Highlighting a rich linguistic environment and and and invites hearing audiences to learn to listen to and to learn listening from Deaf communities.

The latest iteration of the installation expands and critically reflects on its previous editions at the House of World Cultures (2018), SAVVY Contemporary (2020), Pop-Kultur Festival (2021), and Galerie Wedding (2022). Continuing to explore the generative potential of sound and listening by foregrounding the concept of ‘concrete listening’, this project unfolds to foster solidarity, mutual support and action that considers a sonic practice that allows for the exploration of intersectionality between culture, politics and the visual arts.