Dara Birnbaum
Arabesque, Special Limited Edition, 2021

Digital video fine art book with golden cover,
color video, stereo sound; 6 min. 92 sec.
Closed Book: 56.8 x 38 x 7.5 cm
Edition of 6 plus 1 artist’s proof (#2/6)
Courtesy of Marian Goodman

Arabesque Special Limited Edition consists of a single-channel video in vertical book format. In the video, sound and image are integrated, and together retrace the love and artistic relationship of Robert and Clara Schumann. Birnbaum brought together selections from films of performances of Robert Schumann’s Arabesque Opus 18 and from films of Clara Schumann’s Romanze 1, Opus 11. She juxtaposed these clips with still images made from footage of the 1947 film about the Schumanns, Song of Love, which features only Robert Schumann’s Arabesque Opus 18. Birnbaum’s Arabesque delicately reflects on the troubled love relationship of Robert and Clara Schumann, a love relationship closely linked to music, as they are both pianists. It is the result of the creative mind of Birnbaum, but also of the work of masterful artisans with unique abilities, capable of innovating in full respect of the traditions that have been handed down for generations.

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