Within the current mood of worshipping the latest technology in media art, Staalplaat Soundsystem provides a breath of fresh air, reminding us of the 100-year tradition of noise-making machines, in which “mad” inventors and various kinds of artists operating in the margins of the art world meet.
All these installations were made with the same low tech working philosophy, making an installation look so simple that you think” I can do that.The works by Staalplaat Soundsystem are usually brilliant in their simplicity, the first impression leaving no room for technological mystification. (Anton Nikkilä / Avanto festival Helsinki)

Since its inception in 2000, Staalplaat Soundsystem has created a multitude of mechanical sound installations using all manner of consumer electronics. Previous highlights of Staalplaat Soundsystem performances include  »Floating Islands« , a large sound/light installation in the Spree,  a floating orchestra composed of fifty vacuum cleaners, plastic bottles and lights. The interactive element of Staalplaat Soundsystems work is shown in the installation  »Sale Away« a democratic piece that explored the influence of the public on the work; by simply using their mobile phones people were able to play a complex mechanical orchestra. The most resend project »Architectone« is a dramatic acceleration in the artistic development, to create sound art with public space. Several compositions were produced for building’s, a park and a trainstation in collaborations with architects and other Artist active and experienced in this veiled.Structure, shape, and function of the institution seen as a sound source, as an instrument as well as a physical filter are explored. The idea is to direct listeners to hear sounds they would normally not pay attention to or at least not always recognize as music.  The same principle translated to our body, the most private space, results in the most intimate confrontation between public and our work is   »The Ultrasound of Therapy« . The installation gives visitors the chance to experience a unique, personal sensory experience, by mimicing a clinical environment.

Detailed information you can find in the menue under PROJECTS>>>>

The initiator of Staalplaat Soundsystem Geert-Jan Hobijn is the founder of  Staalplaat , graphic designer, curator and soundartist. The second member Carsten Stabenow is the founder of the german Media Art festival garage and has been curating and organising for many different media- and sound art festivals in the past. Third member Carlo Crovato is working as an solo artist also under the pseudonym plastic-electrics.

Staalplaat Soundsystem has been showing works at several international festivals, museums, galeries and events like Avanto (Helsinki), Sonar (Barcelona), 798 South Gate space (Beijing), DEAF (Rotterdam),   Transmediale (Berlin), Ars Electronica (Linz), Todaysart (Den Haag), MOCA Taipei, Museeum Weserburg (Bremen), Townhouse Gallery (Cairo), Steirischer Herbst ( Graz), ZKM (Karlsruhe),  Khoj International Artists (New Dehli) …

For our video’s on youtube klick Here ! ,  for our photo’s on flicker klick Here!, for our music on MySpace klick Here!