Discover Susan Philipsz's Enchanting Soundscape at Hamburger Bahnhof!

Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin, Germany - Today, art enthusiasts and curious visitors are gearing up for a unique auditory experience as Susan Philipsz unveils her latest sound installation, “East by West,” at the Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin. This new piece, premiering during the Open House Weekend on June 13, 2025, at 5 PM, will continue to enrich the museum’s Endless Exhibition, which already boasts a diverse array of 22 permanent installations, interventions, and sculptures from its collection.

Philipsz’s installation draws attention to the natural world using conch shells to create drawn-out tones that resonate through the museum’s garden. The sounds will emanate from loudspeakers nestled within two poplars and two elms along the garden’s central pathway. Deftly referencing the wind as a vital natural force, this configuration evokes a sense of place and time, connecting the visitors directly with nature.

A Journey through Sound and History

What’s compelling about “East by West” is its historical context. The Hamburger Bahnhof is situated near the former Berlin Wall site, which adds a dimension of significance to the installation. Philipsz’s choice to use conch shells as symbolic tools—historically utilized for signaling and in various rituals—enhances the sound art’s depth. Her work reflects not just geographic orientation but a layered exploration of sound’s psychological impact on individuals and the collective memory surrounding the east-west divide in Berlin.

Born in Glasgow in 1965 and currently residing in Berlin, Philipsz has dedicated her career to navigating the sculptural qualities of sound. Since her breakthrough in the mid-1990s, she has engaged audiences with poignant themes, earning accolades such as the Turner Prize in 2010 and an OBE for her contributions to British art. Her global exhibitions span prestigious venues like the Tate Modern and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, and now the Hamburger Bahnhof adds to her impressive profile.

Future Endeavors at the Exhibition

The Endless Exhibition has been a dynamic space for art exploration, and as of June 2023, a self-guided tour has been implemented to connect various elements of the museum’s narrative. Looking ahead, the exhibition will continue to evolve, with planned contributions from Judith Hopf in 2023 and Claudia Wieser in 2024, curated by Sven Beckstette. These additions promise to maintain the museum’s engaging relationship with contemporary art and sound.

Philipsz’s artistry has found a home in other spaces, too. Recently, her immersive sound installations were showcased at the Pulitzer Museum in Missouri. This exhibition, titled “Susan Philipsz: Seven Tears,” featured soundscapes that extended into the museum’s courtyard, illustrating her commitment to creating auditory connections that invite emotional introspection. Through works like “Too Much I Once Lamented” and “The River Cycle III,” she explores themes of loss, trauma, and hope—framing her sound pieces as bridges between personal experiences and collective memories.

As visitors flock to Hamburger Bahnhof for the installation of “East by West,” they will encounter not just sound but a profound experience that resonates with both history and nature. The playful tones from the conch shells will undoubtedly echo far beyond the museum’s garden, inviting everyone to pause, listen, and reflect on the winds of change that shaped Berlin and the world.

To learn more about Susan Philipsz’s initiatives, be sure to check out more on her work at Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, and details about the Endless Exhibition on the SMB Museum site. For those interested in her immersive sound installations beyond Berlin, visit Stir World for insights on her recent exhibits.