We are not familiar to the obvious fact that air, through breath, is part of our bodies. By breathing in and breathing out million particles are exchanged from one body to the other. Through this common air —Merleau Ponty calls it “flesh”— a common body is shaped, vulnerable both to sharing viruses, DNA material or feelings of love, all floating in the air.

We consider breath as mental expression and breathing as an elementary act of communication as well. The Common Breathing Amplifier (CO.BR.A) is an installation of hanging funnels operating as physical megaphones to share human breath and the sound of human voices. People can gather and reach the funnels and as soon as they apply their mouths to the orifice their breath becomes heard from the others in space. All breaths can assemble as a total sound mass moving in space from body to body. The COBRA installation could inspire collective sound performances as long as the exhibition may take place.

In technical terms, eight funnels are separately hung from the ceiling and a balancing mechanism —with thin wooden beams and ropes and metal vessels filled with water as a counterweight —ensures that the eight spouts of the mechanism can be adjusted in height to accommodate all users. A manual available to all visitors will help them use the breathing apparatus.