One of the oldest, largest and most prestigious contemporary art exhibitions in the world, the Venice Biennale gathers work from artists worldwide for a six-month festival. Among the exhibits in 2103’s 55th Biennale, Francesca Grilli’s Time Lapse combines architecture, vintage products and photography with a sound installation.

The project encompasses an audio installation by DJs Donato Dozzy and Rabih Beaini, together with a display of photographs by Armin Linke, which together present a re-reading through sound and photography of the architecture of the Olivetti Showroom. The installation by Dozzy and Beaini offers up an electronic soundscape that feeds off the space’s architecture and mixes it with the sounds of the vintage Olivetti typewriters.

The sound for the installation calls on Funktion-One loudspeakers, which have been provided through the UK company’s Italian partner, Sound Division. Sound Division also supplied technical infrastructure for the Italian Pavilion’s launch party. This invitation-only event saw DJs and live acts combine to launch the Italian nation’s representation at the festival. Sound Division supplied two Funktion-One Resolution 2 loudspeakers and two F221 bass enclosures.

The loudspeakers are displayed, not hidden – their visual identities, as well as their sonic qualities, being part of the installation. A selection including F101, F1201 and Resolution 2s have been used, along with an F121 bass enclosure. Two violet F101s are tucked between the typewriters on the upper balcony, along with an F1201 facing across the room. On the mezzanine level a white F101 rests on a plinth and the ground floor uses a Resolution 2, two F101s (one violet, one white) and the F121 bass enclosure.

Francesca Grilli is one of 14 artists who have contributed to the Italian Pavilion, which is themed with the title Vice Versa. Her exhibit uses the effects of dripping water on metal - the repetitive sound and the corrosive effect it has on a metal canvas - and the power of her own voice to produce a compelling spectacle. Funktion-One Resolution 1 loudspeakers have been used to bring sonic impact to the performance.

‘The Venice Biennale is such an important event, not only for Italy but for the world,’ says Sound Division’s Flavio Manieri. ‘It’s a platform for people to share radical ideas and creativity – it means a lot to be involved on the scale we are.

‘Funktion-One speakers are an excellent fit for an environment that is focused on pioneering design and creative spirit. We’re very proud of everything we’ve helped to achieve with Funktion-One and the Venice Biennale.’

Time Lapse can be found in the Olivetti Showroom, situated in Venice’s famous Piazza San Marco. The historic building, which was once the flagship of the great Italian family business, is an architectural gem. It was created by Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa in 1958 but fell into disuse following the company’s sale in the 1980s, most recently housing a souvenir shop. In 2012, having been taken over by FAI (the Italian National Trust) the showroom has been restored and fitted out with vintage Olivetti products as an exploration of technology past.

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