“Plätschern im Mülleimer?” That might sound like a plumbing problem. But here at Postplatz, it’s art. It’s part of the Klangmomente Installation.
The Klangmomente Installation is a unique sound art piece. It was created by the Leipzig composer and sound artist Erwin Stache. The installation was inaugurated here on March 19, 2009.
These everyday objects create surprising sounds. The Klangmomente Installation uses ordinary city furniture. These include bicycle stands, bollards, and trash cans. But these aren’t just ordinary objects. They are sensors.
As you approach and interact with them, you trigger sounds. These sounds mimic typical water noises. Think of dripping or rushing water. Some objects even allow you to actively change the sounds. Try it by moving your hand or body closer.
But why water sounds here in the middle of the city? The water sounds reference the Kaitzbach. This stream was once part of Dresden’s medieval fortifications. Until the early 19th century, it flowed above ground near the “Willisches Tor.”
The Klangmomente Installation is part of something larger. It’s a station on the “MNEMOSYNE WasserKunstWeges”. This “WaterArtPath” has been developed since 1998. It uses art to trace the courses of the Kaitzbach and Prießnitz streams. These streams were displaced during Dresden’s urban development. They were piped, canalized, diverted, or built over. “MNEMOSYNE” is named after the Greek goddess of memory. It seeks to remember these lost waterways.
The initial unveiling wasn’t smooth sailing. There were technical defects. A trash can was accidentally ripped from its moorings during emptying. But don’t worry. Those issues have been resolved.
Passersby have tested Stache’s installation. Some were startled. They parked their bikes and heard a loud rushing sound from the drain below. The sound isn’t a gentle mountain stream. Some say it’s more like a toilet flushing. A quirky commentary on the Postplatz itself.
So go ahead. Interact with the Klangmomente Installation. Listen to the city in a whole new way. Experience the “Wunder von Dresden” as the locals say. Just be careful during thunderstorms. The artist can’t guarantee protection from lightning strikes.