Sound Exhibition Series: Milan gallery lets you listen to art

Milan's independent gallery Settantaventidue has launched the Sound Exhibition Series, a program of concerts and sound installations designed to be experienced like visual art. The series uses a custom sound system by Futura Research, allowing visitors to listen to works on demand without scheduled times. Curator Giuseppe Ielasi explains that this year the focus shifted to commissioning original compositions from artists, with no digital previews available—listeners must visit the gallery. The first installment features Japanese composer and performer Masaya Kato, whose work Flux (still) blends organic sounds like sand and water with electronic processors, piano, and Fender Rhodes. The installation is available every Thursday until summer break. The series resumes in September with a concert by Miki Yui, who will leave an original piece for one month. Thereafter, new works will be commissioned monthly. Settantaventidue was founded in November 2023 along the Naviglio Grande by Alessandro Scotti, Daniel Marzona (recently deceased), Luca Pitoni, Giuseppe Ielasi, Nicola Mafessoni, and publisher Bruno Tonini. The non-profit hub also houses the archives of Cesare Leonardi and Gabriele Basilico.