“The
Swiss artist Zimoun blends elements of sound, sculpture, mechanics,
and engineering into unique sensory experiences redefining
traditional notions of sculpture and sonic performance.” is the
description given on the Ringling Museum of Art's web page and quite
frankly, I couldn't agree more.
When
I first entered the exhibit I was confronted by a bright white room
and floor so glossy that it appeared as if there was a shallow pool
of water covering the entire surface. My attention immediately was
focused right to the subject that was creating motion and resonating
sounds simultaneously and interacting with the animated wire strips
dancing about the wall. Like an artificial waterfall, when observed
closer, it was a strip of metal with 175 dc motors suspending wire
across the top of the wall. The oxidized metal from the wires left
pencil marks along their path down. The most concentrated markings
were at the floor. These markings created a horizontal line which gave
an impression of a shoreline and the other markings up gave the
subtle illusion of the horizon. In combination with the wet floors,
wires imitating the noise of heavy rapids, and the movements, the
piece as a whole was most intriguing. Unfortunately, I was
distracted by the power cords and and wiring that was feeding the
piece because they stood out from the artwork and took away from it's
simplicity.
Exiting
the waterfall room into the next exhibit the rooms were divided by
hanging plastic strips. Passing through into the room was a massive
semicircular arrangement of cardboard boxes. To the right of the
boxes it was a dark and unwelcoming. To the left, was a shadow being
cast from a bright light that reminded me of a cityscape. I was
drawn toward the light and as I approached it I noticed an entrance
into the semicircular arrangement and I immersed myself into it's
chamber coming face to face with a light that was so bright it burned
it's impression into my eyes. Inside the chamber I had the feeling
of being entombed within the structure producing the sound of rainfall
on a tin roof. This was accomplished by 236 prepared dc-motors
arranged centrally on the facing side of the boxes twirling wire. I
found myself drawn toward the wires and wanting to play with them.
They seemed like mutated question marks, and rat or pig tails. The
piece as a whole reminded me of my childhood, because right outside
my bedroom window was a tin roof structure. Every time it rained I
heard that sound a feel asleep peacefully.
In
conclusion my experience at the Zimoun exhibit was intriguing,
fascinating, unique, and ultimately soothing. I felt engaged in
thoughts and memories and safe to experience them.
