Laure Meloy

A Lyric Cabaret, set in a dollhouse. An interactive installation exploring an imaginary conversation between the women at the centre of a strange footnote of art history: the true story of the life-sized effigy of Austrian composer Alma Mahler, commissioned by her artist ex lover, and created by doll maker Hermine Moos in the early 20th century. Told from the perspective of Hermine, Alma, and the Doll itself, this piece invites us to eavesdrop on their thoughts and voices, through recollections from Alma’s autobiography, letters to Hermine, and music from Alma’s compositions. Recordings of three singer/actors are accessed via a cabinet of curiosities within a doll’s house, while a life-sized doll, dressed as the original Alma Doll, plays her part by witnessing from a corner of the room. What does it mean to be the object of someone’s obsession? Is Alma the victim or the heroine of the tale? How would you react, if your image was used to make a fetish object? The installation will be available throughout the exhibition, with a limited number of hybrid live performances scheduled.