The Converter

Yaron Attar’s video work unfolds a conversation between a Christian worshipper and the artist, recorded with a hidden camera. The entire conversation is conducted as a whispered confession, during which the Christian explains the importance of confession and absolution. The conversation between the two is tentative and blends with the sounds of prayer hymns, while the echo of the church amplifies the whispers. 

Since the video was shot surreptitiously, the camera also captured random areas, fragments of kneeling worshippers and snippets of the church architecture. The abstract and “missing” frame alters the role and status of the voice, almost replicating the conditions in the confessional, where the speaker is not seen, only heard. The conversation reaches a dead end with a comedic twist.