In the ear of the tyrant

Sydney born/ Paris based video artist Angelica Mesiti and Italian vocalist Enza Pagilara have re-enacted a traditional ritual of grieving in the three-channel video installation 'In the ear of the tyrant' 2013-14. Presented is the silhouette of Pagilara singing the Greek lament 'Moroloja', which was recited by Prefiche (hired wailers) women at funeral processions in Sicily up until the 1950s. The footage was shot on location in the Ear of Dionysus, an ancient ear shaped cave which had been carved out of solid limestone in Temenites Hill. Legend states that Dionysus used the site as a prison; its excellent acoustics amplifying the escape plans of his political dissidents. Mesiti's real-time camerawork scans the chiselled walls not to mention the emotive hand movements and facial expressions of Pagilara as her refrain intensifies. The recorded performance mourns corporeal as well as cultural death.