Voice Elevator
Isabell Spengler in collaboration with Neo Hülcker, D 2021
(foto by: Franziska von den Driesch)
Transient moments during a gender-transition are examined in a musical composition and a dialogue scene for a breaking voice.
Two elevator rides are presented in a vertical cinema projection. The first scene is a musical elevator choreography: The movements of three elevators at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin are musically interpreted and sung as glissandi, whereby the singer's voice break is particularly audible.
The second scene shows a first encounter between two artists in a glass elevator at Berlin Central Station: Connections between pitch of voice, persuasiveness, authority and the concept of the "status see-saw" are discussed and simulteneously tested in performance. In three variations, the scene unfolds a structural play by relating dialogue, performance and voice pitch to the direction of travel of the elevator.
The relationship between the performers and its depiction are questioned with regard to the construction of status and gender.
performers: Neo Hülcker & Isabell Spengler
cinematographer & color grading: Till Beckmann
second camera: Juliane Zelwies
lightdesign: Josephine Freiberg
sound recordist: Manuela Schinina
sound mix: Jochen Jezussek