Liquid Tongues at the Polish Pavilion Centers Deaf Epistemology at the Venice Biennale
The Polish Pavilion at the Venice Biennale showcases "Liquid Tongues," an installation by Bogna Burska and Daniel Kotowski, curated by Ewa Chomicka and Jolanta Woszczenko, and produced by Zachęta National Gallery of Art. This artwork incorporates video projections from a swimming pool in Warsaw along with low-frequency sounds inspired by cetacean calls. A key element is "Chór w Ruchu (Choir in Motion)" (2026), where both Deaf and hearing artists convey biologist Roger Payne's narrative in phonic English and International Sign Language. Choreographed by Alicja Czyczel to reflect fish movements, the piece is further enhanced by Aleksandra Gryka's musical composition and Magda Mosiewicz's cinematography. The notion of "Deaf Gain," introduced by H-Dirksen L. Bauman, offers a positive perspective on deafness, while Kotowski's involvement ensures the work avoids superficial interpretations.
Key facts
- Liquid Tongues is installed at the Polish Pavilion at the Venice Biennale
- The installation is by Bogna Burska and Daniel Kotowski
- It is curated by Ewa Chomicka and Jolanta Woszczenko and produced by Zachęta National Gallery of Art
- Video projections were shot in a Warsaw swimming pool
- Low-frequency acoustic waves are modeled on cetacean vocalizations and echolocation
- "Chór w Ruchu (Choir in Motion)" (2026) features Deaf and hearing performers narrating the story of biologist Roger Payne in phonic English and International Sign Language
- Roger Payne's 1970 recordings Songs of the Humpback Whale helped catalyze the whaling ban
- Alicja Czyczel choreographed the work, Aleksandra Gryka composed the score, and Magda Mosiewicz handled cinematography
- "Deaf Gain" was coined in 2010 by H-Dirksen L. Bauman
- Kotowski's authorship links the work to Christine Sun Kim and Joseph Grigely
Entities
Artists
- Bogna Burska
- Daniel Kotowski
- Ewa Chomicka
- Jolanta Woszczenko
- Roger Payne
- Alicja Czyczel
- Aleksandra Gryka
- Magda Mosiewicz
- H-Dirksen L. Bauman
- Christine Sun Kim
- Joseph Grigely
- Ignacy Czwartos
- Antonino La Vela
- Jacopo Salvi
Institutions
- Zachęta National Gallery of Art
- Polish Pavilion
- Venice Biennale
- Hyperallergic
- Polish pavilion
- Chór w Ruchu
- Open Group
- Poland Pavilion
- Choir in Motion
- ANGA (Artists and Galleries for Action)
- Zachęta Archive
- Artribune
- La Biennale di Venezia
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Warsaw
- Poland
- Baltic Sea
- Giardini della Biennale