Exhibitions

“A New Digital Simulation of the Analogue” — a periodical as a digital bridge from visual stimulus to in-depth information. The concept addresses the confrontation with the analog and digital as well as its transformation. It seeks a new way of conveying information: the increasing importance of the image is met uncompromisingly, without losing any depth of content. In the process, digital influence and manipulation are significantly reduced, because the concept allows for a wide variety of viewpoints – as a counterpoint to the process of selective exposure. The periodical (Bubmag) is physically and digitally available and complements itself to a symbiotic system. The curated images on the specific themes serve as emotional catalysts and the linked, in-depth text content is dynamically generated algorithmically from aggregated information from various sources. This technology acts as a new link between the analogue and the digital.

The physical magazine consists exclusively of predefined photos, which are supported by hashtags. QR codes are also used (which store the corresponding subject areas as web links and enable the playback of VR videos) to connect the analog and digital world. The use of barcode markers makes WebAR possible, thus overlaying the analog world with digital content. The periodical is published annually, and the 120 curated images depict current topics regarding politics, society, and culture.

The digital form of the magazine consists of a website and a progressive web app (PWA). Similar to the analog magazine, the topics are teased with photos and linked to the corresponding text contributions. QR codes and markers of the physical magazine can be scanned through the integrated scan app, which can be found under the navigation tab or directly through the photo app of the smartphone. The corresponding links lead to the thematic text contributions and the VR/AR contents. A specific search algorithm continuously generates dynamic text content. The source is the NewsAPI.org information platform. Virtual reality (VR) video content is streamed directly from YouTube. The A-Frame framework builds augmented reality (AR) content.

The result is an analog and digital magazine.

We have developed a new form of conveying information by using technology as the digital bridge between visual stimulus and in-depth information. We exhibited our project within the group exhibition Design Technologies at the ZHdK in Zurich. In addition to Bubmag’s annotated presentation, visitors were encouraged to experience the exhibited concept with the printed magazine, QR codes, and VR/AR technology.

Client #Bubmag / Date #2019 / Category  #Exhibitions #Branding #Editorial #Digital / Design Studio  #Soulengineer / Designer Marco Simonetti / Photographer Marco Simonetti / Exhibition ZHdK Zurich

Direction Marco Simonetti @Soulengineer

Jetlag is a project that lasted for more than 15 years collecting great and new experiences, talking to people, sharing ideas, and pursuing goals. Every photo taken during a journey is exposed as a thumbnail and composed to image patterns. The Jetlag project was exhibited in 2004 at Josefstrasse in Zurich.

Client Soulengineer / Date #2004 / Category #Exhibitions #Experimental / Design Studio #Soulengineer / Designer Marco Simonetti / Exhibition Josefstrasse Zurich

Design Direction Marco Simonetti @Soulengineer

In this issue the editor proposed a topic giving ten Swiss graphic artists carte blanche to express themselves on the theme of noise. He did not give any guidelines that might be influence these noisy projects except for the format and deadline to complete this stylistic exercise. We created a work of art called “Aero Therapy” that highlights the theme of noise. Inspired by hyperbaric oxygen therapy, we explored the impact of noise on tinnitus patients. Creatio Helvetica focuses on creative work in Switzerland. The magazine wants to talk about the Swiss who are, whether at home or abroad, forging new trends in various fields, from the fine arts to the human sciences. All projects were exhibited in many countries.

Client Creatio Helvetica / Date #2001 / Category #Graphics #Exhibitions #Publications / Design Studio #Walhalla / Designers Marco Simonetti, Ibrahim Zbat / Photographer Walter Stähli / Copywriter Olivier Girard (Creatio Helvetica) / Consultants Marco Simonetti, Ibrahim Zbat / Exhibitions diefferent Locations / Publication Chut! (Creatio Helvetica)

Design Direction Marco Simonetti, Ibrahim Zbat @Walhalla

We created twelve art visuals exploring the topic of “Repetition” and its meaning in a social environment. The artworks were designed to reflect the ambivalence of repetitive daily rituals using similar elements, and with the reduction of colours the result was highly intensified. At the exhibition we conceived a video installation with emotional exclamations and human noises of any kind using a typographic concept. We created “Musculus Ocularis” as the launch part for our new exhibition at the Mangisch Gallery in Zurich.

Client Walhalla / Date #1998 / Category #Exhibitions #Experimental / Design Studio #Walhalla / Designer Marco Simonetti, Ibrahim Zbat, Walter Stähli / Exhibition Mangisch Gallerie Zurich

Design Direction Marco Simonetti, Ibrahim Zbat @Walhalla

In 1997, we exhibited our design project collection at Stufenbau in Bern. Our self-directed projects allowed us to experiment with new and divergent approaches. This helped us to discover new vibrant ideas to empower our creative process while combining design and technology.

Client Walhalla / Date #1997 / Category  #Exhibitions #Graphics #Publications / Design Studio #Walhalla / Designers Marco Simonetti, Ibrahim Zbat, Walter Stähli / Exhibition Stufenbau Bern / Publications Victionary One: Flavor (Viction Design), Swiss Graphic Design (Die Gestalten Velag), Limited Resources Limited Creativity (PIE Books), Limited Color Graphics (PIE Books), 1 and 2 Color Graphics (PIE Books), Typo Graphics Four (Duncan Baird Publisher), Type No Borders, No Boundaries, No Limits (Duncan Baird Publisher)

Design Direction Marco Simonetti, Ibrahim Zbat @Walhalla

The Young Art group exhibition “Never Say Never” supported by the Providentia insurance company took place in Kunsthalle Bern. We were invited to show our works; it was a great privilege to exhibit alongside other artists, such as Silvia Gertsch, Priska Lühti, Roland Reichen, Philip Delaquis, Francis Baudevin, Sidney Stucki, Dina Scagnetti, Fancesca Gabiani, Stefan Altenburger, Istvan Balogh, Markus Bürgi, Reto Boller, Andrea Crociani, Andreas Dobler, Christoph Draeger, Nicolas Fernandez, Fabrice Gygi, Roland Herzog Romelia Höpflinger Teresa Hubbard, Alexander Birchler, Michel Huelin, Judith Jörger, Davide Legittimo, Prisma Lüthi, Denis Pernet, Anuschka Pfammatter, Ugo Rondinone, Pierre Vadi and Sylvie Fleury. The jury headed by John Armleder chose 28 artists of 571 entries for the exhibition, which started at Kunsthalle Bern and later moved to Geneva, St.Gallen, Basel, Monte Carasso, Zurich, and Nyon. An exhibition catalogue, “Never Say Never, Art Today” (editor John Armleder, Offizin, 1996), was published for the exhibition.

Client Walhalla / Date #1996 / Category  #Exhibitions #Graphics #Publications / Design Studio #Walhalla / Designers Marco Simonetti, Ibrahim Zbat, Walter Stähli / Exhibition Kunsthalle Bern / Publications Victionary One: Flavor (Viction Design), Swiss Graphic Design (Die Gestalten Velag), Limited Resources Limited Creativity (PIE Books), Limited Color Graphics (PIE Books), 1 and 2 Color Graphics (PIE Books), Typo Graphics Four (Duncan Baird Publisher), Type No Borders, No Boundaries, No Limits (Duncan Baird Publisher), Never Say Never (Offizin)

Design Direction Marco Simonetti, Ibrahim Zbat @Walhalla

In 1993, we started working for clients from the public cultural sector and the cultural industries and established ourselves as experts for communication and cultural projects. We developed design concepts, flyers, promotion materials, and artwork particularly for the electronic music industry, museums, the art industry, and public culture. Our early works were presented for the first time in 1996 in a group exhibition in Lausanne.

Client Walhalla / Date #1996 / Category  #Exhibitions #Graphics #Publications / Design Studio #Walhalla / Designers Marco Simonetti, Ibrahim Zbat, Walter Stähli / Exhibition MAD Lausanne / Publications Victionary One: Flavor (Viction Design), Swiss Graphic Design (Die Gestalten Velag), Limited Resources Limited Creativity (PIE Books), Limited Color Graphics (PIE Books), 1 and 2 Color Graphics (PIE Books), Typo Graphics Four (Duncan Baird Publisher), Type No Borders, No Boundaries, No Limits (Duncan Baird Publisher)

Design Direction Marco Simonetti, Ibrahim Zbat @Walhalla