Recent Work by Zimoun

John Hill

13. May 2013

Left-Middle: Courtesy of Studio Zimoun. Right: Screenshot.

Switzerland's Studio Zimoun are masters at manipulating space and sound through the use of repetitive elements and kinetic devices. Three recent installations in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland, documented through short films, really convey the sensory qualities that result from the studio’s unexpected uses of cardboard, cork, motors, metal, and even water.

"318 prepared dc-motors, cork balls, cardboard boxes 100x100x100cm" is currently on display at Opernwerkstätten in Berlin (April 26 - May 24, 2013). Visitors encounter a massive block of cardboard boxes and a low rumble in an open loft space. A single opening admits people to the interior, where over 300 cork balls repeatedly hit and rub against the cardboard boxes. While each ball makes a unique pattern as it softly hits a box, in aggregate they create a strong immersive experience.

318 prepared dc-motors, cork balls, cardboard boxes 100x100x100cm. Photo: Courtesy of Studio Zimoun

"198 prepared dc-motors, wire isolated, cardboard boxes 30x30x6cm", installed at CAN Neuchatel in Switzerland last year, shows how changes in material and the size of the space can affect the resulting sounds. While similar in idea to the installation in Berlin, the wire hitting the smaller cardboard boxes in the larger space results in a high-pitched chatter rather than a low rumble.

198 prepared dc-motors, wire isolated, cardboard boxes 30x30x6cm. Photo: Courtesy of Studio Zimoun

"60 medical infusion sets, water, fire, metal sheets 20x20x4cm", on display from April 11 to May 24, 2013 at Meetfactory in Prague, is a departure for the studio. Instead of cardboard, cork, and motors, they position medical drips over hot metal sheets, which result in sporadic hisses, smoke, and a gradual charring of the metal.