NL Premiere

In an age of intersecting political, human-made, and ecological disasters, Warnings in Waiting is an ode to the sirens that are and those that could be. Aura Satz invited over 20 collaborators, including Laurie Spiegel and Moor Mother, to reimagine the sound of the siren. Using the siren as a compositional tool and as a prompt, the resulting resonant voice poses questions like: Does an alarm have to be alarming? How can alarm fatigue be addressed, both as lived reality and as a metaphor for the current state of the world? Become engulfed by this disconcerting and intense video installation experience, housed in the basement of WEST, The Hague (the former US Embassy).

Aura Satz is a London-based visual artist whose work encompasses film, sound, performance, and sculpture. Her work explores modes of listening as both subject matter and medium, often considering the role that technologies play in these alternative soundscapes. Satz has worked with a wide range of contemporary composers, vocalists, and sound artists, frequently using this collaborative practice to trace the lineage of the unsung women pioneers of electronic music.

Warnings in Waiting draws on the project Preemptive Listening, which was funded by an AHRC (2022–2024), hosted at RCA, London.

Originally commissioned by Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo. Supported by AHRC, OKRE, RCA, Walker Arts Centre, Kunstnernes Hus, with support in kind from Kadist. Presented in association with Walker Arts Centre, Tate Modern, and EMPAC.

Musicians (in order of appearance):

Laurie Spiegel (astronomical planetary data, electronica); Evelyn Glennie (percussion); Maja Ratkje (voice, bells); Anton Lukoszevieze (cello); BJ Nilsen (wind, electronica); Elaine Mitchener (voice and whistles); Laurie Spiegel (manatees, dogs, mice, electronica); Ilpo Väisänen (electronica); Rhodri Davies (harp); Debit (Mayan instruments, AI, Schumann resonance).

Producer: LONO Studio - Luke W Moody

Associate Producers: Mika Taanila (Testifilmi) and Tendai John Mutambu;

Cinematography: Aura Satz; USA: Brandon Mendel, Jason Boulware; Japan: Hikaru Suzuki with FiveStar; Finland: Mika Taanila with Flatlight

Sound Mix and Sound Design: Chu-Li Shewring

Associate researcher and podcast producer: Irene Revell

Associate researcher: Francesca Cavallo

Production transport and assistance in Milwaukee: Jonas Sun and Seamus Carey

Special thanks to American Signal, Westshore Services, Lou Mallozzi, Carole McCurdy, Deborah Stratman, Jason Waite, and Hiroko Tasaka.

The podcast 'Speaking Sirens,' with interviews and excerpts accompanies the exhibition. Hosted by Aura Satz and Irene Revell, available to listen here.