MIRA FESTIVAL : PENIQUE x OSCAR ZABALA

IMMERSIVE CLUB ROOM INSTALLATION

NOVEMBER 8 - 9, 2024
FIRA DE MONTJUÏC - BARCELONA

ALTAR is a large-scale immersive club room installation, born from the collaboration between Penique Productions and Oscar Zabala. Combining Penique’s iconic translucent plastic balloon structures, which transform architectural spaces by transforming them into a completely new environment, with Zabala’s use of generative art, light, and sound, this installation creates a unique sensory experience. Throughout the day, the space gradually shifts from an immersive ambient installation into a dynamic performance space as Zabala and his guest artists take over, turning it into an immersive club room.

Designed as an evolving ambient environment, the soundscapes, created in collaboration with producers Ben Kaczor and Lb Honne ( founders of record label ST. ODES ) merge seamlessly with the generative artwork and lighting. Each night Zabala transforms the installation through a live A/V performance, treating the space as a living instrument that dynamically responds to his curated sounds. Alongside him, guest artists—Ben Kaczor, Lb Honne, and Karcelen—perform live and DJ sets, bringing deep, minimal beats that enhance the ritualistic ebb and flow of energy within the space.

Expect a journey that fluidly transitions between waves of tranquility and energetic deep beats, guiding visitors through a profound exploration of light, sound, and space—all within Penique’s transformed architectural structure, fully immersing visitors into a new dimension.

PENIQUE PRODUCTIONS

Penique productions was established in Barcelona, 2007, as a project focusing on the ephemeral installation.

Since 2008, Penique has also operated from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Each project begins by identifying a unique location to construct a customised piece – the inflatable.

The “balloon”, made from a lightweight plastic, grows and expands as the air becomes the supporting structure and forces the inflatable to grow, consuming all in its path.

Conquered by the inflatable, the space is transformed by a new light, a new texture and a new monochrome colour. The viewer is transported via sensory experience to a setting simultaneously familiar yet new.

Having lost its original function the site is given a new identity. The balloon acts as a barrier from multiple realities – framing and creating a new space – as a container, it blurs the concept of the art object.

Penique offers an experience to the viewer. Through this clear and direct perceptual message, we aim to reach out to all people.

OSCAR ZABALA

Oscar Zabala is a multidisciplinary artist known for creating immersive visual and sound experiences. With a background in both visual art and electronic music, his work spans from installations to live performances. Zabala creates generative artworks—dynamic pieces that evolve in real time—which he performs live in spaces ranging from galleries to festivals, clubs, and events like Art Basel Miami. His work with artists such as Kanye West and James Blake laid the foundation for his unique audiovisual approach to both intimate and large-scale environments. His performances blur the line between installation and live experience, inviting audiences into a constantly shifting sensory environment of deep sound, light, and visuals

GUEST PERFORMERS

BEN KACZOR
LIVE SET

Ben Kaczor’s entrancing music resonates within the emotional spectrum, exploring the delicate balance between light and shadow with boldness and sensitivity. Navigating through the sonic landscapes of Dial Records and Elysia Basel with elements of stirring elegance, he is renowned for a compelling blend of atmospheric techno, vibrant house and cinematic soundscapes. His compositions inspire opportunities for both introspective reflection and creative expression alike.

LB HONNE
LIVE SET

Lb Honne, based in Zürich, Switzerland, is a key figure to the Project Indigo collective as well as the Vorgott record label and has earned acclaim with the release of the captivating 'a move' album and ‘present future/here there’ long player, besides the production of remarkable remixes. Lb Honne seamlessly transitions between simplistic, bare-boned intervals and melodious segments. With every beat and musical motif, the experience delves deep into the dimly glim, perfectly suited for the amplification of the dulcet tones on a pulsating dance floor or an ambient atmosphere.

KARCELEN
DJ SET

Karcelen is an electronic music producer whose creations elegantly bridge the realms of minimal and deep sounds, blending electronic and organic influences into captivating sonic landscapes. He has performed at renowned festivals and clubs such as Sonar Festival and Sisyphos Berlin, sharing his immersive sound with global audiences. Frequently curating lineups and performing at Barcelona’s Les Enfants Brillants, Karcelen emphasizes a deep, atmospheric journey, guiding listeners through textured soundscapes that resonate with the spirit of minimalism and exploration.

TECHNICAL INFO

INSTALLATION DESIGN: EXTERIOR

INSTALLATION DESIGN: INTERIOR

PROJECTION SCREEN

At its focal point, a tall arched screen displays Zabala’s generative artwork which reacts in real-time to the sound, controlling the lighting and evolving dynamically. In front of the screen is an altar-like structure, anchoring the space.

The projection screen will consist of white fabric stretched across a tall, arched structure, designed specifically for projecting visuals.

The screen will be placed slightly forward from the back wall, allowing for a rear projection, which would hide all projection equipment behind the screen for a cleaner visual setup.

ALTAR / DJ BOOTH

The altar table, serving as the DJ booth, will be the central visual focal point of the space, positioned directly in front of the projection screen. The table will be enveloped in the translucent pink plastic material that defines the installation, creating a seamless integration with the rest of the environment. Inside the altar, low LED lighting will be installed, emitting a soft, diffused glow from within. The booth will be long and minimal, allowing for the concealment of all necessary equipment such as computers, audio gear, and other technical devices, while maintaining a clean, minimalist appearance in the overall design.

LIGHTING

The lighting is designed to create soft, diffused light that emanates from the edges of the space, subtly illuminating the room from below. The lighting will be positioned outside the translucent plastic structure, with long light bars placed along the edges of the space. These bars will cast light upward, using the plastic as a diffuser to create smooth, gradient lighting that softly glows through the material. The goal is to ensure that the light is evenly distributed, with no harsh spots, allowing the light to flow seamlessly along the walls and across the space, contributing to the immersive, meditative atmosphere.

SOUND SYSTEM

The sound system is key to delivering a hi-fi surround sound experience, with a strong emphasis on powerful subs and deep low frequencies to support the Ambient Experimental and Deep Minimal House genres, which benefit most from these qualities. The main D&B system stack at the altar to serves as the main powerhouse, while speakers placed along each column ensure immersive, evenly distributed sound throughout the space.

BEAN BAGS / SITTING AREAS

Within the installation, modular cushions and large beanbags will be scattered throughout the space, allowing visitors to freely move, rearrange, and stack them to create personalized, comfortable seating options. This modular approach ensures the furniture blends seamlessly into the environment while offering flexibility and comfort.