Rihab Essayh

Le chemin des rats, 2016

site specific installation

varied paper and fibers on vinyl

92’ x 36"

as Rihab Essayh and Annika Steimle Duo

For the Art souterrain 2016 festival

Le Chemin des rats stems from the German legend of The Pied Piper of Hamelin. The legend tells the story of a piper who, with only the sound of his instrument, lures away not only the rats infesting the village of Hamelin but also the innocent village children to punish the older inhabitants of their duplicity. The sound of the flute, symbol of the seductive power of art, is predominant and in our work takes the form of tactile poetry. Le Chemin des rats draws the spectator into an intimate relationship through the sense of touch, a sense that evokes security and comfort as well as sensuality and seduction. Like the flute player of Hamelin, our work lures and seduces the viewer into an intimate interaction where the viewer through his sense of touch is guided through the exhibition space.