Extreme Unction Vol. 2

Extreme Unction Vol. 2 is a transformative space where grieving and loss meet ecstasy and exultation, a liminal sonic-ritual art environment inspired by the life and spirit of 12th-century visionary Hildegard von Bingen.

A cleansing without washing.

A touching without being touched.

A multisensory experience of intimacy, listening, stillness and communing with inner and outer worlds through sound, touch, taste and sense of the body in space.

Drawing community back together again at a time when we have all lost so much.

A preparation for viridity.

A piece of speculative architecture that functions as sonic installation, instrument and imagined communal bathing space.

A neurodivergent and biophilic approach to design.

An initiation into a new world.

We enter into mythic time as past and present turn in the circle.

Bathe in mesmerising beauty and join with oblivion before returning to new life.

First, you’ll be led by a guide in a 20-minute welcome session and offered a hot drink created by chef Adam Thomason. You’ll be invited to enter the Celestial Tent, a geodesic dome structure, for a 30-minute immersive sound and light piece, during which you can sit on benches with a variety of tactile surfaces, lay down, or walk around a central reflecting pool. When you come out, your guide will lead you in a 20-minute reflection and sharing session with a refreshing cool drink.

Working with architect/designer Bethany Wells and musician and instrument designer Tom Richards, Nwando has created the Celestial Tent as a structure that is a sculptural and sonic piece in itself. The Tent draws inspiration from hamams, saunas and bathing spaces from a variety of cultures.

Featuring a sonic journey which responds to the Hildegard piece ‘Favus Distillans’, a rich, sensuous song by Hildegard that exults in the legend of St Ursula, who along with 11,000 virgins died rather than submit to marriage. The song encapsulated death, rebirth and fecund fertility.”

Part of What Shall We Build Here, Artsadmin’s festival of art, climate and community from 28 June – 2 July 2023.

“Calm, reflective, I feel like I want to stay in there longer. I feel grateful to the artist for being generous with their noises & space & sharing it with us, I will come back”

Audience member

“It felt as if parts of my life that have been missing was being fulfilled”

Audience member

“It was beautiful, very moving, intimate but otherworldy”

Audience member