Angelica Mesiti's seven-channel installation The Rites of When explores seasonal rituals at Art Gallery NSW

Angelica Mesiti's installation, The Rites of When, set to debut in 2024, is a seven-channel video and sound piece that delves into themes of seasonal festivities and shared rituals. Located in the Tank, a repurposed WWII fuel bunker at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, this 34-minute work features seven screens that symbolize the brightest stars of the Pleiades constellation. The installation is divided into two key parts: 'Hibernal Solstice: The Longest Night,' showcasing aerial views of snowy landscapes and urban carnival festivities, and 'Aestival Solstice: The Longest Day,' which highlights wheat harvesting and group performances. The soundscape is enriched by polyphonic chants from the French ensemble La Mòssa, complementing midwinter dance visuals and body percussion mimicking rain. While Mesiti's work emphasizes collective joy and dance, the review suggests it lacks the provocative nature of rituals such as Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring. The exhibition will be open until 11 May 2024.