The sounds from Personal Accounts can be heard from a distance while wandering up the stairs to the exhibition. These are the sounds of distress, hesitation, contemplation, or even laughter. Personal Accounts is a multi-cycle, transnational video and sound installation project created by Gabrielle Goliath. Each section omits the spoken word, and the exhibition displays the physical sounds the human body makes in response to difficult reflections on the past.
The first section of the exhibition, Mango Blossoms, is a 22-channel video and sound installation. Filmed in Edinburgh, the exhibition features 11 people sharing fragments of traumatic experiences.
In the There’s a river of birds in migration section, Goliath captures a performance by artist and activist Treyvone Moo. Accompanied by Maneo, Sapphire, and Hopewell, personal accounts of hatred towards those existing outside the norm in Johannesburg, South Africa, are explored. A plethora of emotions are explored within this room of the exhibition.
The Lago di Como section focuses on the patriarchal structure’s involvement in violence toward individuals. Nine survivors share their experiences of violence they had to endure in Lake Como, drawing attention to how deeply embedded patriarchal values are throughout the world.
A dimly lit hallway leads you to the experience of Diende Falase. He focuses on the dangers that await if he ever returns to his home country of Nigeria. Due to the ban on same-sex relationships and the dwindling rights of the LGBT+ community, hatred for those opposing the law is increasing.
Each section of the exhibition overlaps and intertwines with each other. Creating a space where stories and emotions are shared in a non-verbal way.
Personal Accounts is on display at the Talbot Rice Gallery until the 15th of February 2025.
“Lucy Skaer, ‘Sticks and Stones (Part 1)’, 2013-15. Mahogany with inserts of porcelain, limestone, tin, coins, American walnut, Tasmanian black wood. Installation view, Green Man, 2018. Image courtesy Talbot Rice Gallery” by Talbot Rice Gallery is licensed under CC BY 4.0.