Earthscapes: Anna Godzina unveils new work for her first solo exhibition at Z33
Hasselt – On Sunday September 29th, Z33 will open its doors for a solo exhibition by Moldovan artist Anna Godzina. Earthscapes tells the story of her travels through landscapes and cities, with a keen ear and eye for all the sounds, objects and materials along the way. Her exhibition resonates both organic and mechanical, natural and artificial.
When Japan and Moldova meet
For Earthscapes, Anna Godzina draws inspiration from a Zen garden in Japan and a river valley in Moldova — two completely different landscapes that harmoniously merge in her unique installations made from found objects. Using motors and magnets, her sculptures come to life in the various spaces of Z33: they spin, tick, curve and curl.
The power of magnets and iron powder
The installation in the first room refers to the Japanese Ryōan-ji garden. Five low platforms are covered with finely ground iron powder, sourced from a rusted seawall. Beneath this powder, mechanical arms rotate with strong magnets. As they move, they set the iron in motion, creating rippling patterns reminiscent of the landscape design of a Zen garden. "By combining these elements and allowing them to interact, a kind of natural force emerges, which becomes the driving element of the work," explains Godzina.
Sounds of the Dniester Valley
During Godzinas travels through the rural Dniestr valley, the sound of tinkling sheep bells and grazing sheep caught her attention. “These bells became a point of recognition for me in the valley,” Godzina explains. In the second room of the exhibition, she installed fifteen sheep bells in various styles. “The bells are programmed to create a soundscape that reflects a flock of grazing sheep. You need to take the time to listen to the soundscape and fully emerge into it,” she adds.
Auditory and visual exploration
The auditory, visual, and spatial exploration also resonates in the third room. Godzina presents an 8mm film she recorded on location in the Dniester Valley. Occasionally, the sound of the tinkling sheep bells and the video align, like stars lining up in the sky. Within Earthscapes, Godzina not only represents the Earth, but also attempts to reshape it.
You can visit Earthscapes at Z33 from September 29th to December 1st, 2024. More information about the new exhibitions via www.z33.be
About Anna Godzina
Anna Godzina (1990, Chisinau, Moldova) works in Antwerp. She studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, where she obtained her Master's degree in 2019. Godzina travels through cities and landscapes, always searching for materials and sounds that inspire her work.