Forty Part Motet by Janet Cardiff

Canadian artist Janet Cardiff’s work combined sound, movement and the surrounding environment. Forty Part Motet was a new audio work co-commissioned by The New Art Gallery Walsall, based on a renaissance choral music Spem in Alium by Thomas Tallis (1514-1585.) Forty separately recored voices were played through forty speakers which were strategically placed throughout the gallery. This allowed the visitor to experience the music in their own uniquely chosen way.

Janer Cardiff represented Canada at the 2001 Venice Biennale in collaboration with George Bures Miller. Their installation, The Paradise Institute, was awarded the prestigious La Biennale di Venezia Special Award.