BERLIN -- At the heart of Petrit Halilaj's exhibition, An Opera Out of Time, hosted by Hamburger Bahnhof, lies a captivating reinterpretation of his opera Syrigana. This innovative work first graced the stage with the Kosovo Philharmonic in Runik, Kosovo, on June 25, 2025, marking a significant milestone in Halilaj's artistic journey.
Unlike typical restagings that often miss the essence of the original, Halilaj masterfully employs the original props and music to craft a unique experience. The exhibition showcases a series of vignettes throughout a spacious hall, featuring striking installations such as a life-sized horse sculpture set against a pink backdrop and a curtained cart serving as a stage. Visitors encounter human figures adorned in animal masks, creating an atmosphere of intrigue. An audio recording of the opera complements the visual elements, with lighting that dynamically shifts in response to the unfolding narrative. A large, inviting structure covered in traditional kilim rugs encourages guests to sit and immerse themselves in this extraordinary rendition.
The concluding piece, Syrigana, stands as the culmination of Halilaj's ongoing exploration of themes that resonate throughout his body of work. This includes a range of wearable sculptures and whimsical creatures that create a familiar vocabulary for viewers by the time they engage with Syrigana.
Many of the displayed objects, such as a vibrant yellow taxidermied canary and a large moth crafted from kilim rugs, originate from Halilaj's early artistic explorations in the mid-2010s. These pieces were inspired by remnants from the now-defunct Kosovo Museum of Natural History. Some creations are one-of-a-kind, while others consist of clay bodies supported by sturdy wire legs, reflecting Halilaj's roots in one of the earliest neolithic settlements. Over the years, villagers have unearthed a wealth of ancient artifacts, adding depth to Halilaj's narrative.
The exhibition also features the video piece "When They Came Here They Found People (Adam and Eve)," where Halilaj documents oral histories from the residents of Runik, shedding light on the lingering impacts of historical conflicts in the region. Through the animation of artifacts into living creatures, Halilaj underscores their cultural significance, offering a fantastical perspective on the possibility of their return.
This interplay of fantasy and reality, alongside themes of ethnicity, migration, and healing, invites visitors to reflect on the complexities of contemporary Kosovo. Halilaj's installations encourage engagement with both grand narratives and intimate details, fostering a sense of connection that transcends cultural divides.
An Opera Out of Time remains on view at Hamburger Bahnhof (Invalidenstraße 50, Berlin, Germany) until May 31, curated by Catherine Nichols and Emily Finkelstein.
