Weekendtip #56
Lichtklangphonogramm
Installation view. Photo by Jens Ziehe.
An exhibition of historical and re-invented optical and mechanical sound machines from the era of the wax cylinder phonograph by Melissa Cruz García, Aleksander Kolkowski, Matteo Marangoni and Anne Wellmer
Ethnological Museum in Berlin-Dahlem 14/3/2013 – 25/5/2013
Installation view. Photo by Anne Wellmer.
How to visualize sound and music in the context of the Berliner Phonogramm-Archiv? “Lichtklangphonogramm” is an exhibition of historical and re-invented optical and mechanical sound machines from the era of the wax cylinder phonograph which embarks upon a travel through time from the moment when the first sound recording machines were invented in combination to the archeology of moving images of the 19th century. Listening stations, projecting phonoscopes, episcopes, mutoscopes, mechanoscopes among others are self-made machines exhibited in order to create a landscape of light and sound relating to cultural anthropology and heritage. Embarking on a journey through time to the moment when the first sound recording machines were invented a landscape of light, sound and rotations is created. Early wax-cylinder recordings from the Berliner Phonogramm-Archiv are made visible and audible by using adapted historical players and projectors, while self-made machines reveal mechanics and let the long gone voices of the founders of the Phonogramm Archive come back to life.
Installation view. Photo by Anne Wellmer.
Finnissage performance: Sunday 26.05.2013, 16-17h
On Sunday May 26th at 16h the fixed installation of »lichtklangphonogramm« will be transformed into a dynamic stage setting where objects and projections move throughout and beyond the space, sound is made to travel and where wax cylinders are recorded and reproduced live and in situ. The four performers undertake a journey through uncommonly heard or seen material, drawing from the Phonogramm Archive’s early experimental and test recordings, as well as historical texts and their own sounds, music, film and light projections. The public is invited to be delighted by self-made and functioning optical machines and magic lanterns interacting in situ with own compositions as also from the Berliner Phonogramm Archiv.
Visual score – Line Lumen II