Can sound heal? Inside Overtones, the Israel Museum exhibition turning sound into an art form

In an age saturated with information, the "Overtones: Sound and Art" exhibition at the Israel Museum offers a rare opportunity for focused listening and reflection. The exhibition, curated by Talia Amar, delves into the complex relationship between sound and visual art, presenting a diverse array of works that challenge conventional perceptions.

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Not one sound fears the silence that extinguishes it. And no silence exists that is not pregnant with sound.

The show features an eclectic mix of pieces, incorporating familiar musical instruments in highly unconventional applications, alongside a variety of imaginative and surprising means of creating sound. The introductory text sets an explorative tone, quoting composer John Cage: "Not one sound fears the silence that extinguishes it. And no silence exists that is not pregnant with sound." This quote encapsulates the exhibition's engagement with the interplay between sound and its absence.

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This is a work that you go out, to perform it. More than anything I have created until now, it very much depends on the individual who is experiencing it at the moment.

A significant part of the exhibition is an "audio walk" through the recently redesigned Billy Rose Art Garden, developed by interdisciplinary artist Meital Covo. Covo describes this work as a performance that relies heavily on the individual experiencing it. "This is a work that you go out, to perform it. More than anything I have created until now, it very much depends on the individual who is experiencing it at the moment," she stated. Covo emphasizes the importance of diverse audiences engaging with the piece, asserting, "For me, the work does not exist by its own right. It needs to encounter a person."

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For me, the work does not exist by its own right. It needs to encounter a person.