SeoulSound deploys an immersive L-Acoustics sound system for an art gallery exhibit in Seoul, Korea
SEOUL, Korea – November 2021 – Beyond The Road – Seoul 2021 is an immersive exhibition that kicked off on July 23 at The Hyundai Seoul’s ALT1 Gallery in Yeouido, western Seoul, and will run through Nov. 28. First introduced in London’s Saatchi Gallery in 2019, Seoul is the first Asian city to host the immersive, surrealist art show and exhibition. The Seoul exhibit encompasses 33 different rooms in the department store, culminating with an immersive screening room. The project collaborates with creative producer Colin Nightingale, creative director Stephen Dobbie, and electronic music artist James Lavelle of the famed British band Unkle. Beyond the Road also includes works by artists from diverse fields such as Oscar-winning film directors Danny Boyle and Alfonso Cuarón, perfume designer Azzi Glasser, and multimedia artist Tupac Martir.
In preparation for the Asia debut of Beyond The Road, sound designer Salvador Garza Fishburn and local promoter Ms. Jackson reached out to local L-Acoustics Certified Provider SeoulSound to help them create the immersive experience in the ALT.1 Gallery. Fishburn specified an audio installation that would create and maintain an exciting, immersive audio experience throughout the 33 individual spaces of the show. Previous experience with L-Acoustics sound systems had proved their ability to create a consistent aural experience across a range of products of varying sizes and formats.
While quarantining in his hotel room in Seoul for two weeks, Fishburn optimized production time with the L-ISA Studio software suite on his laptop to prepare creative and technical details for his sound design. The sound was assisted by Carlos Mosquera, L-ISA Labs engineer at L-Acoustics. Mosquera helped Fishburn learn to use L-ISA Studio software to create immersive mixes anywhere.
SeoulSound deployed over 90 L-Acoustics boxes throughout the space, including 5XT, X8, X4i, and monitors along with Syva Sub and SB18 subwoofers for extended low-end bandwidth. The miniature yet powerful X4i 4-inch coaxial speaker was the star of the show, played a crucial role in providing clear, pristine sound for exhibits in ten of the smallest rooms.
X4i was also installed in the entry walkway of the gallery and hallways that connect the rooms. The art exhibits in the hallways benefitted from the discreet profile of X4i, bridging a visitor’s immersive sound experience as they explored the different spaces. One such hallway that featured an art installation of a graffiti-laden London public bus stop and phone booth was installed with three X4i, one eight-inch monitor, and a Syva Sub tucked under the bus stop seats.
The team at SeoulSound used the Array Morphing tool in LA Network Manager to balance low frequencies throughout the spaces. “As visitors explore all the rooms with their array of exciting sights and sounds, we know that they are getting a uniform audio experience that will keep them immersed in the art from beginning to end,” explains Soon Il Yun, Managing Director of SeoulSound.
Several L-Acoustics monitors were installed in larger, mid-sized rooms that required longer throw. One space exhibited a vast dining table and a grand piano placed in one of the corners. Four monitors installed in each of the four corners of the room accompanied by two SB18 subwoofers for extended low frequencies provided an immersive sound experience.
The exhibition culminates with an immersive screening room equipped with six X8 coaxial enclosures. A screen projection in the center of the room could be viewed from seats situated on either side, with three X8 installed per side. Fishburn and his creative team created an audio piece to accompany the video content in which audio elements moved within the space to match the video.
Beyond The Road’s delivery of an immersive art experience where sound plays a key role is a success from both a technical and aesthetic standpoint. The exhibit team ramped up rapidly, using L-ISA technology to deliver a multi-sensory exhibition that reinforced visual impact with an equally engaging sound design, leaving an indelible mark on its audience.
“A few attendees acknowledged the creative focus given to the immersive sound experience of the exhibition and even enquired into the speakers that we used, seriously considering acquiring L-Acoustics for their home audio system,” SeoulSound’s Yun concludes.
Learn more about SeoulSound at www.seoulsound.com.
An exhibit that featured a graffiti-laden London public bus stop and phone booth was installed with three X4i, one eight-inch monitor and a Syva Sub 
The exhibition encompasses 33 different rooms with four 5XT, 12 X8, 18 eight-inch monitors, 47 X4i, eight Syva Sub and seven SB18 subwoofers installed 
SeoulSound worked with the creative team to specify over 90 L-Acoustics speakers in all the exhibition spaces, including hallways 
The screening room featured an L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound configuration of six L-Acoustics X8 
Four eight-inch monitors installed in the four corners of this room provided an immersive sound experience along with two SB18 subwoofers 
Beyond The Road Seoul 2021 exhibits at The Hyundai Seoul’s ALT.1 Gallery