[Exhibition at the Museum zu Allerheiligen, Schaffhausen/CH, in conjunction with the Manor Art Award Schaffhausen 2006, 24 Feb - 23 Apr 2006]

The research-based abstract walk-in city model shows how physical space works as an instrument in terms of "sonare" and "resonare". It demonstrates a constructive way of creating urban spaces that have excellent acoustical quality, which makes them pleasant to use and fit for purpose – even with a lot of sound sources around.

The architecture of acoutopia has been designed to make sounds resonate in a highly diverse, colourful and transparent way. We have created a mini-urban pattern of areas, paths and piazzas that are acoustically distinct, thus providing good orientation and allowing to navigate by ear.

The idea behind acoutopia is to design forms and structures of environments primarily with a focus on serving human physiological and psychological dispositions and fundamental needs, rather than aiming at loading them with meaning. A most existential need is to be able to get one´s bearings in the physical environment and to grasp the situation, and in this connection the sense of hearing is of great significance. However, our hearing abilities can be either supported or undermined, depending on the acoustical quality of the physical environment.

The architectonic elements of the model arrangement are made of varnished cardboard and are specifically structured according to acoustical considerations. Placed between them are sound sculptures made of resonating solid materials (metal, paper, glass) that act as sound sources, together with the visitors exploring the site.

"Comprehensive installation"
"Effective aesthetics"
"...precisely composed overall sculpture, in which both hearing and seeing are being challenged and served."
Caspar Schärer, in: Tages Anzeiger Zürich, 25 Feb 2006

"With every step another sonic image evolves"
"In awe one enters this city with its paths, piazzas and a landmark, and finds oneself right in the middle of the acoustic scenery, plunges into a new world and learns anew how to listen."
Edith Fritschi, in: Schaffhauser Nachrichten, 3 Mar 2006

"[Ines Kargel and Fabian Neuhaus] explore problems concerning the acoustical orientation and the quality of the environment. Their exhibition is an adventure park in the best sense of the word."
"We experience this ficticious city as a place of great variety and openness,..."
Peter Pfister, in: Schaffhauser AZ, 2 Mar 2006

"... obviously I was not the only one who felt almost unbelievably well when experimenting with strolling through "acoutopia"."
Jürg Odermatt, in: Musik & Theater, Nov 2006 (No. 11/2006)