Montarbo is proud to have supported THERMOCENE, a sound-based art installation created by MyBossWas, the creative studio founded by Giorgio Ferrero and Rodolfo Mongitore.
The project stems from an experimental research expedition undertaken by the two artists, who ventured 3,000 meters up into the Piedmont Alps to record the electromagnetic frequencies present in the atmosphere. These sounds captured in extreme, symbolically rich environments, were later transformed into an immersive installation at the historic Ice Houses of Mercato Centrale in Turin, Italy. The exhibition will also be hosted soon at the GAMeC museum in Bergamo, Italy.
The exhibition is structured into two distinct environments:
1. Immersive Sound Space
In the first room, sound takes center stage through a composition blending the audio experiments collected at high altitude. The result is a controlled acoustic chaos that reflects the violence of atmospheric saturation caused by human activity.
Technical Setup:
- 16 Nettuno 10 loudspeakers, each connected to an independent output of an audio interface.
The decision to use 16 separate full-range sources made it possible to faithfully reproduce every nuance of the soundscape envisioned by the artists. The Nettuno 10, with its wide 120° horizontal dispersion, ensured a deeply immersive and engaging experience in both sonic performance and visual impact. Additionally, the built-in mixer allowed for precise sound optimization, even in a complex acoustic environment like the round-shaped Ice Houses, known for their heavy reverberation—eliminating the need for external processing equipment.
“The Nettuno 10 system is extremely functional and effective in multichannel installations that require both definition and power. It’s easy to install and manage through software. The setup was incredibly fast” says Giorgio Ferrero, and adds, “They’re perfect for live performances in museum spaces where visual presence also matters—their self-standing, monolithic design makes them ideal for architecturally significant venues”
2. Narrative Video Space
In the second room, a double video projection alternates visual sequences retracing the artists’ journey during their high-altitude recordings.
Technical Setup:
- 5x R110 loudspeakers
- 1x R18S subwoofer
The short film was presented in 5.1 surround sound, enhancing the immersive nature of the experience. The extremely linear frequency response of the R Series loudspeakers played a crucial role here, delivering clear and enveloping audio. The elegant finishes, wooden enclosures, and compact dimensions of the speakers allowed for perfect integration into the exhibition space, maintaining a clean and refined visual presence.
Live Performance
A live performance by the project’s creators was also held during the exhibition to reinforce its final message. For this event, two Nettuno 20 systems in stereo configuration were used for both consoles.
“The power of the Nettuno 20s in a live setting is quite impressive given their size. They are ideal for art installations where sound is the message, where a strong sense of sonic immersion is required, along with precise source directionality.
Their output makes them perfect for high-impact installations in large exhibition spaces” explains Ferrero.
The Thermocene project highlighted several of Montarbo’s core values: versatility, elegant product design, and above all, sound quality. This last element, combined with evocative settings, formed the foundation of the immersive atmosphere essential to fully understanding the project.
“I wanted to show how, even in those boundary places, there's no longer room for the romantic idea of untouched Nature. Instead, there is space to imagine—and hope for—a magnificent mirage of an anthropized Nature, where human ingenuity merges with its habitat in a respectful way.”
— Giorgio Ferrero
For more information:thermocene.com
