Celeste Boursier-Mougenot’s work aims to highlight familiar natural phenomena. In his work From Here to Ear, he set up a space with several electric guitars placed horizontally on stands. There were bird houses suspended from the ceiling, and a flock of finches was introduced to the room. When they landed on the guitar strings, their tiny movements created sounds that were amplified and played on speakers around the room. Harmonies were created as many finches alighted on the guitars together. I found the work incredibly moving and felt that I was observing the simple beauty of life.
From Here to Ear (installation view), Celeste Boursier-Mougenot, 2011