Exposition “Gateway – a Speakers Sculpture” – Benoît Maubrey – Berlin

An interactive electroacoustic sculpture created from 1200 recycled loudspeakers, sound waves, and spectators’s voices.

Statement: Since 1985 I have been creating public sound sculptures using recycled electronics and loudspeakers. Mainly I use loudspeakers (also tuners, amplifiers) as « building blocks » to create monumental sculptures in public spaces.  The sculptures allow the public to speak out loud by calling a telephone number and expressing themselves « live » via the sculpture for 3 minutes.

Also the sculpture amplifies “recycled“ (invisible) electromagnetic waves (white noise) that are produced by the incorporated radio receivers: the white noise sounds are low volume and are permanently hearable as a « background » sound that changes throughout the day, this is the « pulse » of the sculpture.

GATEWAY, commissioned by MaerzMusik 2014, is made of 1100 recycled loudspeakers integrated into the entrance of the Haus der Berliner Festspiel. The sculpture itself functions as a single multi-channel loudspeaker, all loudspeakers are connected. However it is noticeable that the sound is different according to the position of the listener: each loudspeaker emits a unique sound.

There is no danger of electrocution as main amplifiers are in a seperate space nearby and only the sound « signal » is relayed to the sculpture. An answering machine answers the calls and automatically relays the calls so that they can be amplified by the sculpture (calls are limited to 3 minutes). Visitors are also encouraged to participate by creating music with their smartphones and “broadcasting“ them “live“ via Bluetooth receivers installed in the sculpture. Also the sculpture is available as PA systems for other public events and concerts during MaerzMusik 2014.

As an artist I use electronic waste as the “clay“ for my sculptures: these materials are cheap and most often given to me for free. As a music composer I allow vocal participation and electroacoustic sound waves to « occur » by themselves, allthough I allow myself to edit them by limiting the phone calls to 3 minutes or arranging them via the various sound channels within the sculpture itself.

Berliner Festspiele
Schaperstraße 24
10719 Berlin
Lageplan
Tel +49 30 254 89-0
Fax +49 30 254 89-111
info(at)berlinerfestspiele.de
www.berlinerfestspiele.de

More informations:

www.benoitmaubrey.com

www.berlinerfestspiele.de