Zimoun’s Sound Sculptures
My experience as a student artist assistant for a large-scale immersive audio-visual installation at NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery
Project Overview
Timeline
February 2019
Location
NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery
Skills
Fabrication, Wiring, Electronics, Installation, Precision Assembly
Areas of Focus
Structural Support, Electronics Integration, Mechanical Assembly
Including a major new commission and four site-specific adaptations
Motors, boxes, wires, and everyday objects assembled with precision
Wiring, structural fabrication, motor installation, and soldering
Including coverage in Hyperallergic, DesignBoom, and The National
This project involved helping to install five immersive audio-visual installations by Swiss artist Zimoun at the NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery. Each work functioned as both a sound composition and a sculpture, built from repetitive arrangements of everyday objects—motors, cotton balls, and cardboard boxes—meticulously installed to fill the gallery space. Zimoun's characteristic approach combines elements of engineering, sound art, and kinetic sculpture to create immersive environments that engage multiple senses.
Concept
Zimoun has described his work as creating "audible buildings" that are designed to be experienced through both eyes and ears simultaneously. These installations make sound tangible, allowing viewers to explore audio through vision, connecting both senses in an immersive multi-sensory experience.
Each of Zimoun's sound sculptures has at its core a basic unit of everyday objects—for example, a motor, a cotton ball, and a cardboard box—which is installed in large quantities until it fills the available space. This repetition of simple mechanical elements creates complex sound environments that evolve organically as viewers move through the space.
The exhibition at NYU Abu Dhabi featured five immersive audio-visual installations, including a major new commission—an expansive room-sized installation—and four site-specific adaptations of Zimoun's previous works. Each installation was uniquely configured for the Gallery space, creating a comprehensive sensory journey for visitors.
My Role as Student Artist Assistant
As a student artist assistant for Zimoun's exhibition at NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery, I contributed to various aspects of the installation process. Working alongside experienced team members, I helped assemble components of the five immersive audio-visual environments that transformed the gallery space.
Skills Applied
Structural Fabrication
Assisted with the construction of support structures including metal frames and wooden platforms. Under supervision, I helped mount individual components (motors, cardboard boxes) to these supports, learning how to ensure secure attachment and proper alignment.
Wiring & Electronics
Helped with basic wiring tasks connecting mechanical devices to power sources. I learned about electrical safety while assisting the technical team with the installation of control systems that managed the timing and synchronization of motors.
Testing & Assembly
Participated in testing installed components and making adjustments as directed by senior team members. I gained experience in precision work while helping ensure consistency across hundreds of repeated mechanical elements.
- Assembly Skills: Learned to install and align mechanical components following detailed instructions from senior team members
- Basic Testing: Assisted with checking the functionality of motors and mechanical elements under supervision
- Team Collaboration: Worked alongside experienced technicians and artists, learning from their expertise
- Attention to Detail: Developed precision skills by repeating similar assembly tasks across multiple installation components
Installation Process
The installation process required meticulous attention to detail and precise execution across multiple technical domains. Each sculpture needed to be carefully assembled to ensure both visual cohesion and the intended acoustic properties.
Wiring
The first phase of the installation involved establishing the electrical infrastructure. As a student assistant, I helped measure and cut wires to specific lengths as directed by the lead technicians. I observed how the team planned power distribution routes and created secure connections between power sources and mechanical components.
Structural Preparation
I assisted with preparing the structural elements by helping paint surfaces and hand tools and materials to the team building custom frames. I learned about creating mounting points for motors and other mechanical elements while observing how each structure needed to be both visually minimal and structurally sound.
Motor Installation
Under supervision, I helped with mounting some of the small motors to their designated positions. I learned the importance of exact alignment and secure attachment to ensure consistent movement patterns, following detailed instructions from experienced team members.
Soldering
While primarily observing the soldering work done by experienced technicians, I was given opportunities to practice basic soldering techniques on non-critical components. This experience helped me understand how electrical connections need to be clean, secure, and properly insulated.
Final Assembly
I participated in the final assembly phase, helping attach cardboard boxes, cotton balls, and other materials to the motors and mechanisms. I followed specific instructions to ensure each element was positioned correctly to maintain the visual uniformity that characterizes Zimoun's work.
The completed installation transformed the NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery into an immersive sensory environment where hundreds of mechanical components worked in harmony to create a mesmerizing audiovisual experience. Visitors were invited to explore the space and experience how everyday objects, when arranged in repetitive patterns and activated through simple mechanics, can create complex and captivating sensory landscapes.
Impact & Press Coverage
The exhibition received significant attention from both local and international press, highlighting the unique sensory experience created by Zimoun's installations and their impact on visitors. The meticulous technical execution helped ensure the artist's vision was fully realized.
The NYUAD Art Gallery Presents Zimoun’s First Solo Exhibition in the Gulf
Hyperallergic
The article highlighted how Zimoun's work creates "audible buildings" that engage multiple senses, transforming the gallery space into an immersive environment.
Read Article
zimoun features lo-fi ASMR-triggering works at NYU abu dhabi art gallery
DesignBoom
DesignBoom featured the exhibition's innovative approach to sound art and the meticulous installation of hundreds of mechanical components.
Read Article
Swiss artist Zimoun unveils new sound installations in Abu Dhabi
The National
The National covered the exhibition's opening, focusing on the artist's unique approach to combining everyday objects with precision engineering.
Read ArticleReflection
Working on Zimoun's sound sculptures at NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery represented my first experience with large-scale installation art. While I had previously worked with electronics, fabrication, and assembly on smaller projects, this installation challenged me to apply these skills at a much larger scale and with far greater precision requirements.
This experience as a student artist assistant significantly enhanced my understanding of technical art installation. Working within a structured team environment, where I could observe professionals maintaining strict quality control and attention to detail, helped me develop more disciplined work practices and a better appreciation for collaborative art creation.
Key Learnings
Challenges
- Learning to maintain precision when handling delicate components
- Understanding complex systems that I hadn't worked with before
- Developing the patience required for repetitive assembly tasks
- Adapting to the structured workflow of a professional art installation
Learning & Growth
- Improved my hand skills through repeated practice under guidance
- Gained appreciation for quality control processes by seeing their importance firsthand
- Developed better attention to detail by focusing on small, precise tasks
- Learned valuable team communication skills by working alongside professionals
This was my first time working on a large-scale installation. Although I had experience undertaking each of these steps, it was at a much smaller scale and was easily testable to ensure that the assembly was functional. This time, however, I had to closely follow instructions and a design plan and we could only test once enough of an assembly was finished.
It taught me to not just rely on testing to gauge functionality and to also collaborate more with people for feedback on my work because fresh eyes are always useful. It also sharpened my technical skills, given that I had to work on each step multiple times (for example, installing motors) under the guidance of experienced professionals.