Objects that are often regarded as luminaires of modern life – intestinal board boxes, glass cups and plastic jugs, to name just a few – generative materials in the soundscapes of Swiss artist Zimoun (earlier). Connected to small, direct-stream motors, threads and strings that are strung and rotate across the installations of these modest items to continuously create ambient noise.
Zimoun often refers to the tension between chaos and order in his works, in particular because it relates to the relationship between the individual elements and the greater composition. For a recent project for Rewire in The Hague, for example, the artist piano strings tied 24 polyethylene tanks in one room and up to 36 water containers in another.
Although the basic construction was the same, the way the vibrating threads dealt with the barrels had influenced their Timbre. “Each of the spaces clearly sounds different, although the same principle was applied everywhere. Deep, bass -like sounds and very varied, constantly changing overtones can arise,” the artist says.
Exploring the possibilities of such simple materials is the core of many of the works of Zimoun, while shifting our perspective on their use and functionality. Looking animal, every object becomes an instrument in itself, because the kinetic, often hectic, movement of the machines transforms a wood or metal barrel into a sonic device.
It’s worthwhile to poke Zimoun’s Vimeo To explore the width of the installations and their subtly varied sounds. The artist has Different exhibitions planned for later this year and in 2026, so follow the last place Instagram.
