MADE IN CYLAND

Syntropy (a state of being), a new site-specific work by Raphaele Shirley with sound composition by Rhys Chatham, juxtaposes experiences of ascension through the integration of light, sound, and architecture within the HayArt Centre entrance. The transposition of Chatham’s Crimson Grail Part 1 (recorded in the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Paris) with the ephemeral light and color space formed within the gallery invites reflection on human expansion. It evokes the sense of ascension traditionally sought in sacred spaces while making such experiences accessible beyond their confines. “Syntropy” refers to systems evolving toward complexity, order, and harmony — contrasting with entropy, or decay. Shirley’s work balances aesthetics and structure, offering a meditation on how systems — whether biological, social, or artistic — move toward functionality and beauty.