Mikhail Karikis. We Are Together Because...
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Date
17 May – 22 Sep 2025
- Sat,
- Closed on Tuesday
Location
Drawing Room Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian
This audiovisual installation reflects the participatory project 'Sounds of a Revolution', which involved half a hundred students from Artallis – Conservatório d'Artes de Loures.
Mikhail Karikis (b. Thessaloniki, 1975) is a Greek-British artist, based in Lisbon, whose practice spans film, sound, and performance, working closely with communities from diverse backgrounds.
‘We Are Together Because…’ is an exhibition stemming from a process of deep collaboration between Karikis and 52 students from Artallis – Conservatório d’Artes de Loures.
The participatory project Sounds of a Revolution was led by Karikis’ artistic and collaborative approach, bringing to the fore Artallis’ unique musical pedagogy involving only voice and body percussion. The result of this one-year process was a powerful account of the transformational power of art, and what has the power to bring us together in increasingly polarised times.
Taking the Portuguese Carnation Revolution as the starting point, artist and students reflected on pressing revolutions, present and future, while asking questions such as: What can art do in times of multiple crises, from wars to global warming? How can art talk about politics, be made politically and by people for people?
In September 2024, ‘Sounds of a Revolution‘ climaxed with a concert at the Foundation’s Grand Auditorium. Giving voice to their hopes and desires for better futures, the students performed alongside the Gulbenkian Orchestra.
With the audiovisual installation ‘We Are Together Because…’, Karikis expands and closes the circle. The title pays homage to a piece by the late composer Pauline Oliveros who conceived of listening as a practice that nurtures empathy and environmental awareness. The work features moments of human connection and joy, learning and mutual care cultivated through listening and collective sound-making. Capturing the project’s creative journey and incorporating scenes from the concert, it offers glimpses of alternative possible worlds that we may build together.
Biographies
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Mikhail Karikis
Mikhail Karikis (Thessaloniki, GR, 1975) lives between Lisbon and London. His work developed in many media is shown internationally in museums, contemporary art biennials, and festivals. Karikis has released three solo music albums, as well as compilations and collaborative albums with Alamire Consort, members of the Hilliand Ensemble, with Dj Spooky and Björk. He performs as a musician and experimental vocalist in museums and music venues including the Barbican Art Centre and the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. Karikis also holds a professorial position at MIMA School of the Arts and the Creative Industries, UK.
Credits
Programming
Ana Botella
Miguel Sobral Cid
Camera
Luisa Mello
Pedro Ivo Carvalho
André de Campos
Mikhail Karikis
Video editing
Mikhail Karikis
Luisa Mello
Colour grading & special effects
Mikhail Karikis
Sound recording
Sound Force Studio
Fundação Gulbenkian
Mikhail Karikis
Sound editing
Mikhail Karikis
Sound mixing & post-production
Mikhail Karikis & Sound Force Studio
Composition
Mikhail Karikis, containing an extract from '(Na minha sede) ainda vou encontrar nos teus lábios um cravo' by Teresa Gentil, composed for the project 'Sounds of a Re volution' by M. Karikis (2024)
Composition and Orchestral score arrangement advisor & Orchestral parts preparation
Sara Ross
Choreography
Maruan Sipert
Voice training
Manon Marques
Sociological observation & recording
Alix Didier Sarrouy
Poet
Judite Canha Fernandes
Production
Daniela Vieitas
Conservatorio Artallis coordinator
Isaac Fernandes
Music direction
Diogo Costa
Orchestral performance
Orchestra Gulbenkian
Choral performance
Afonso Dias, Afonso Ferreira Leal, Ana Raquel Antunes, António Joaquim, Bárbara Carolina, Beatriz Alves, Bianca Silva, Bruna Esteves, Carolina Fernandes, Carolina Ferreira, Carolina Silva, Dionylson Afonso, Duarte Alves, Duarte Henriques, Eduardo Portugal, Fábio Teixeira, Francisco Castelhano, Gabriel Silva, Gonçalo Antunes, Guilherme Lopes, Guilherme Pereira, Inês Cruz, Inês Palma Bruno, Inês Portela, Isabel Jorge Valente, Jéssica Raimundo, João Brilhante, Josias Carvalheiro, Leandro Semedo, Luana Cambim, Mafalda Vizinha, Márcia Santos, Margarida Emídio, Margarida Teixeira, Maria Batalha, Maria Alice Prazeres, Maria Bártolo, Maria do Mar Faísco, Marta Leal Fortunato, Martim Cabral, Matilde Marques Casimiro, Nicole Benavente, Pedro Bravo, Pedro Sousa, Rita Colucas, Rodrigo Mota, Sara Henriques, Tiago Oliveira, all from Conservatorio Artallis.
Commissioner
Gulbenkian Foundation
Acknowledgements
Conservatório Artallis, Isaac Fernandes, Sara Ross, Teresa Gentil, Francisco Joaquim, Maruan Sipert, Alix Didier Sarrouy, Luisa Mello, Pedro Ivo Carvalho, André de Campos, Margaryta Kulichova, Johnny Farah, Manon Marques, Daniela Vieitas and Judite Canha Fernandes
Main image
Mikhail Karikis, still from 'Estamos juntos porque...' [We Are Together Because...] © Mikhail Karikis
The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation reserves the right to collect and keep records of images, sounds and voice for the diffusion and preservation of the memory of its cultural and artistic activity. For further information, please contact us through the Information Request form.
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