zimoun's mechanical sound installation in an abandoned toluene tank

zimoun ‘329’ mechanical sound installation in an abandoned toluene tankall images © zimoun studio

bern-based studio zimoun has sent designboom images of their first permanent installation – a large, towering mechanical sound installation situated inside an abandoned toluene tank from 1951 in dottikon, switzerland. working closely with architect hannes zweifel, the intervention presents a complex kinetic sound sculpture, with 329 DC-motors arranged meticulously throughout the interior fabric of the space. in an obsessive display of simple and functional materials, the installation articulates a tension between the orderly patterns of modernism and the chaotic forces of life; revealing an intricate series of relationships, similar to those found within the artificial and the organic.

zimoun: 329 prepared dc-motors, cotton balls, toluene tankvideo courtesy studio zimoun

the large-scale sound installation is situated inside an abandoned toluene tank from 1951

the intervention presents a complex kinetic sound sculpture, with 329 DC-motors arranged meticulously throughout the interior fabric of the space

the installation articulates a tension between the orderly patterns of modernism and the chaotic forces of life

‘329’ showcases an obsessive display of simple and functional materials

‘329’ reveals a complex and intricate series of relationships, an ongoing interplay between the artificial and the organic

zimoun: 329 prepared dc-motors, cotton balls, toluene tank – the making-of video by florian buerkivideo courtesy studio zimoun

view of the abandoned toluene tank in dottikon, switzerland