Immerse yourself in Guillaume Rousere’s latest installation, “After the Rain,” presented at the Qatar Pavilion in the Gwangju Biennale 2024. This evocative piece explores the profound impact of rain on Qatar’s arid desert landscapes, drawing on years of meticulous research and observation. About the Installation: “After the Rain” captures the ephemeral beauty and transformative power of rain in the desert, featuring a rich ambisonic soundscape recorded during rare desert rainstorms. The installation invites viewers to experience the delicate balance between nature and human existence through a sensory journey that combines sound, sight, and touch.
🌧️ One of my favorite moments while observing the rain is watching the last drop fall, seeing the patterns it leaves behind. Moving to Qatar over 10 years ago made me realize how precious fresh water truly is. Its sustainability and availability have become recurring themes in my work.
Text from the exhibition: Guillaume Rousere is a sound artist. Drawing from eco-acoustics and exploring the intersection of nature, culture and history, After the Rain is a multi-sensory installation where the visitor is prompt to connect to Qatar’s landscape post-rain. A reflective metallic pool with fragments of a clay jar, a visible irrigation system and an audio recording from Rawdat Al Nu’man (meadow), an agricultural settlement in Qatar, capturing desert life post-rain, are all pieces that compose a story around nature’s life cycle in the age of the Anthropocene. Drawing on the communal ritual of the prayer for rain, the installation emphasizes unity, resilience and evokes admiration for nature, connecting humanity to its environment. Key elements of the installation include: Ambisonic Soundscape: A 39-minute audio recording from Rawdat Al Nu’man meadow, capturing the essence of desert life post-rain. Water Drop Mechanism: A peaceful system that creates ripples on a reflective water surface, illuminated by light to enhance the contemplative experience. Visuals: Fragments of broken ceramics, a visible irrigation system, and a metal tank receptacle that highlight the Anthropocene aspect of water usage. Guillaume Rousere’s work in “After the Rain” not only emphasizes the environmental significance of water but also connects viewers to Qatar’s landscape and its rich cultural heritage. The installation evokes a meditative experience, encouraging reflection on unity, resilience, and our relationship with nature.
The audio for After The Rain was recorded in ambisonic format at Rawdat Al Numan, following a rare rainfall. Diffused through a quad system within the installation, it transports the listener to this specific location. The recording captures the vibrant phenomena of life in and around the rawdat, from the distant call to prayer to the subtle shifts in the sounds of birds, insects, and other wildlife at sunset. As the day transitions into night, the activity of birds preparing to roost is intricately woven into the soundscape, offering an immersive connection to the desert’s living pulse.