Nona Inescu
The School of Applause, 2024

Presents new works by Nona Inescu that reimagine the ancestral action of clapping/applause as a collective ritual. Inspired by the historical significance of applause as acclamation, validation, and communication, the project explores this universal gesture and its resonance in today’s interconnected world. Central to the project are the clappers – ancient chimera-like sculptures reminiscent of Old Kingdom and Middle Kingdom Egypt hand-shaped ivory clappers, used in Hathoric rituals. Crafted from brass and bronze, each pair of clappers is a proto-percussion instrument, emitting distinct sound resonances that evoke primal rhythms and connections.