Zimoun – Volume

A large sound based installation by Zimoun has been installed at Bitforms Gallery in Chelsea. In addition to the large cardboard sculpture, the gallery is hosting a selection of smaller works by the artist on the sixth floor of the same building.

Zimoun, Volume, installation view, 2012.

Visitors to Bitforms are met with a solid wall of cardboard boxes rising nearly to the ceiling. Small muffled thuds are audible emanating from each box. The wall creates a hallway that leads the visitor around to an opening permitting access to the interior of the structure. The opening acts much like the bass port on a speaker focusing air and sound toward the listener.

Once inside, the secret origin of the sound is revealed to be small motors attached to each box surface churning a length of wire. Each spinning wire terminates in a compressed ball of cotton that taps the box in constant rhythm. The sound stage created relaxes the mind with a saturated white noise that transports the consciousness even if just for a moment. I suspect that the vibrations also stimulate the pineal gland but there is no reference that verifies this as intent.

Zimoun, 25 Woodworms, Wood, Microphone, Sound System, HD video loop, edition of 6, 2009.

The large room installation will surely make you want to continue to the pieces on the sixth floor. Some beautiful smaller sound sculptures founded on similar principles are in operation alongside a brilliant interactive visual “mirror.” Also, the video loop of 25 Woodworms, Wood, Microphone, Sound System pictured above is playing its eerie sound of specialization at work.

There are currently two weeks left in the huge exhibition celebrating Zimoun at The Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida. The video below, produced by the museum, offers excellent documentation of the work.

Zimoun
2 February – 10 March 2012
Bitforms Gallery
NYC

Images courtesy of Bitforms Gallery.