The UB brings Baschet Brothers sound sculptures to Barcelona on a unique exhibition
The exhibition “Escultura sonora Baschet” can be visited at the Humanities and Social Sciences Park of the University of Barcelona (UB), located at the ancient factory Can Jaumandreu, in the 22@Barcelona district. This unique exhibition collects eighteen original sound sculptures created by the brothers François and Bernard Baschet in the 1960s. The exhibition, organised by the Office of the Vice-Rector for Institutional Relations and Culture of the UB, was opened in June and can be visited during July and September, on Tuesday and Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Entrance is free and it includes a guided tour conducted by members of the Baschet Soundsculpture Workshop of the Faculty of Fine Arts of the UB. The exhibition coincides with the recent death of Bernard Baschet on 17 July.
The exhibition “Escultura sonora Baschet” can be visited at the Humanities and Social Sciences Park of the University of Barcelona (UB), located at the ancient factory Can Jaumandreu, in the 22@Barcelona district. This unique exhibition collects eighteen original sound sculptures created by the brothers François and Bernard Baschet in the 1960s. The exhibition, organised by the Office of the Vice-Rector for Institutional Relations and Culture of the UB, was opened in June and can be visited during July and September, on Tuesday and Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Entrance is free and it includes a guided tour conducted by members of the Baschet Soundsculpture Workshop of the Faculty of Fine Arts of the UB. The exhibition coincides with the recent death of Bernard Baschet on 17 July.
The legacy of the Baschet brothers
François and Bernard Baschet, considered the fathers of sound sculpture, have created a work that joins art and science, intuition and method. From the mid-1950s, the name Baschet is associated with sound sculpture, the construction of new instruments and music education. Nowadays, their work is internationally honoured in artistic and scientific circles.
The Baschet Brothers created a line of work and an instrument family which can be considered the most genuine contribution to 20th century music acoustics. The work of these two brothers is composed by more than five hundred works.
An exhibition thought to interact with the audience
The selection of works hosted by Can Jaumandreu is the largest and most representative exhibition of Baschet instruments in the world. It includes a total of eighteen pieces that mix sculpture and music, an ever-present theme in their work. These works belong to different periods, from the 1960s to the 21st century, in different sizes and materials (the biggest work is 4x4 meters wide).
It is an exhibition for all ages. Guided tours are conducted by members of the Baschet Soundsculpture Workshop of the UB —promoted by François Baschet. They lead visitors throughout the interactive exhibition that explores the relationship among shape, the relationship among shape, matter and sound. Visits are adapted to the size of the group, so every experience is unique.
“Historical, aesthetical, technical and acoustic explanations are combined with musical demonstration and visitor interaction at will”, affirms Martí Ruiz, PhD student at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the UB, musician and expert on the life and work of the Baschet Brothers. “We can guide improvisation or leave visitors interaction without any limit or restriction”, he adds.
Therefore, it is a participating exhibition that seeks peopleʼs interaction, according to the ideals of the Baschet Brothers: “Very critical with the elitism that characterises contemporary art, the Baschet Brothers have fought for inclusive art forms during decades; forms that enable every person to experience the aesthetical phenomenon. They have changed museumʼs rule ʻdo not touchʼ into the new interactive paradigm ʻplease playʼ”, emphasizes Ruiz. This way they create the acoustic sound sculpture that allows reproducing such innovative and interesting sounds as electronic ones and to use them in an easy and intuitive way.
The experience of each visitor is different. “The exhibition is inclusive and multi-level; this is its great virtue”, affirms Ruiz. “The experience of a professional musician is different from that of a child or a person with a physical or intellectual disability. Nevertheless, in every situation, common behaviour patterns are broken and a direct relationship with sound is set up, thus creating very intense situations”, he ensures. From contemplative and intimate relations, characterised by attentive listening and personal exploration, to amusement and fun. “Anyway, every visitor enjoys the opportunity to play freely, interact and make his/her own decisions”, he concludes.
Booking a group visit
People interested in booking a group visit or enjoying a personalized educational visit, please contact with Martí Ruiz by sending an e-mail to marti.ruiz@ub.edu.