Overview
A collaborative project involving design firm Yont Studio, Telekom Electronic Beats, and fashion brand Namilia resulted in an analogue sound installation situated on the second floor of the KaDeWe department store in Berlin. This installation is characterized by its brutalist aesthetic and functions as a cassette listening booth. Its design incorporates salvaged car seats and a collection exceeding 140 cassette tapes, explicitly presented as a source for music distinct from mainstream digital streaming services.
Research Context
The installation is located within a century-old department store, KaDeWe, in Berlin. The project integrates design (Yont Studio), technology/music (Telekom Electronic Beats), and fashion (Namilia), highlighting a multidisciplinary approach to creating a public sound experience. The emphasis on cassette tapes and an 'analogue' sound experience suggests an exploration of alternative media consumption within a retail environment, specifically targeting content reportedly unavailable on platforms like Spotify.
Approach
Yont Studio, the design firm, was responsible for the physical construction and aesthetic of the installation. Key materials included salvaged car seats, which were repurposed for the booth's seating components. The core functional element of the installation is the integration of more than 140 cassette tapes, which provide the audio content. The project was executed in collaboration with Telekom Electronic Beats and Namilia, indicating a joint effort across design, music, and fashion sectors to realize the concept within the retail space of KaDeWe.
Findings
- The installation is physically present on the second floor of Berlin's KaDeWe department store.
- Its design aesthetic is described as brutalist.
- The construction incorporates salvaged car seats.
- Over 140 cassette tapes are integral to the installation.
- The installation offers an 'analogue sound experience'.
- The music available through the installation is specified as not being accessible on Spotify.
Why This Matters
This initiative represents a tangible example of integrating specialized, non-digital media experiences into traditional retail environments. It provides a distinct cultural offering within a commercial space, potentially attracting visitors seeking unique audio content and analogue formats. The collaboration across design, music, and fashion illustrates interdisciplinary approaches to creating experiential installations in public settings.