Emma Smith’s work 5Hz was one of the central installation pieces within the exhibition ‘THIS IS A VOICE’. The exhibition, exploring the elusive nature of the human voice: socially, geographically and psychologically was designed as an acoustic journey with a focus on the emotions conveyed through rhythm, stress and intonation.
As a singing language for social bonding without meaning, syntax or grammar, 5Hz offered a new vocal practice for visitors to learn as part of the exhibition’s focus on non-verbal forms of communication and the power of voice beyond words.
Other artists and vocalists featured in the exhibition include Laurie Anderson, Joan La Barbara, Anna Barham, Sam Belinfante, Erik Bünger, Henri Chopin, Marcus Coates, Steven Cottingham, Enrico David, Danica Dakić, Jochen Gerz, Asta Gröting, Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Mathew Herbert, Mikhail Karikis, Meredith Monk, Imogen Stidworthy, Gregory Whitehead and Katarina Zdjelar.
The exhibition also included paintings, manuscripts, medical illustrations and ethnographic objects.