This exhibition traces the fascinating history of musical recording and reproduction from its earliest beginnings with the phonautograph and phonograph to modern digital formats. It explores the technological advancements, their impact on music creation and consumption, and the cultural shifts driven by these innovations.
The exhibition '1, 2, 3… Recording!' offers a comprehensive journey through the history of sound recording and music playback, starting with early 19th-century inventions like Scott de Martinville's phonautograph and Thomas Edison's phonograph. Curated by Cristina Zúñiga, it meticulously details the parallel evolution of technologies such as the tape recorder, compact cassette, and Discman, culminating in contemporary playback devices like mp3 players. The exhibition is structured into three chronological sections: Origins (1857-early 20th century), Sound Revolution (1930s-1990s), and Digital Sound (2000-present). It highlights not only the devices and their technical progress but also their significant repercussions on music creation, production, consumption, and the music industry itself, showcasing patents, drawings, photographs, and recordings.
This exploration underscores how technological progression has fundamentally changed our relationship with music, transforming it from an ephemeral art form into something that can be captured, reproduced infinitely, and enjoyed individually. The exhibition illustrates this evolution through iconic artifacts and historical context, demonstrating how each innovation, from the gramophone's discs to magnetic tape, the compact cassette, the Sony Walkman, and the MP3 format, has reshaped musical culture and society. It concludes by reflecting on the current digital landscape shaped by the internet and peer-to-peer sharing, while also acknowledging the revival of analog formats, suggesting that the future of music listening remains dynamic and open to new possibilities.
