Albanian artist Anri Sala recently selected a Meyer Sound audio system for his
multimedia installation The Present Moment, commissioned at Munich’s Haus der
Kunst. With sound design by Olivier Goinard, the installation contrasted the large,
cold architectural space of Haus der Kunst with the intimacy of chamber music by
Arnold Schoenberg.

“In order to accurately convey a sense of space in the conception of this work, I
needed to rely on very sensitive, accurate, and reliable tools, and working with
Meyer Sound has been an indispensable pleasure,’ says Sala. “In recent years,
sound has played an essential role in my work, not only in its production, but its
conception as well. The remarkable and unparalleled quality of Meyer Sound allows
for an idea to spread through a space with gentleness and boldness.’

For Goinard, Meyer Sound helped to translate Sala’s vision into reality. “Keeping in
mind both the complexity of the soundscape and the challenging reverb of the hall,
loudspeaker directivity was the main solution that would allow for a dialogue
between the space and the sound elements,’ he reports. “The Meyer Sound
loudspeakers helped to define precise listening zones, thus reducing the overall
sound volume in the hall.’

Located in Haus der Kunst’s vast Middle Hall, The Present Moment employs 12 UMP-
2P and seven UPA-1P loudspeakers hung from the ceiling, delivering 19 channels of
sound that are timed and synchronized by a D-Mitri® digital audio platform.

“The acoustics in the Middle Hall are the most difficult one could imagine,’ notes
Patrizia Dander, curator of The Present Moment. “The hall is 800 square meters,
with 12-meter-high ceilings, marble floor and doorframes, and a glass ceiling—all
reflective surfaces. Yet the sound quality is excellent, thanks to both the Meyer
Sound system and the skill of Sala and Olivier Goinard in handling the room’s
acoustics.’

Sala has previously used Meyer Sound systems in a number of installations,
including his presentation in the French Pavilion at the 2013 Venice Biennale. He will
use Meyer Sound again for a major exhibition of his work at the New Museum in
New York City, opening February 2016.