It's hard to believe that someone collected over 5000 synthesizers, samplers, analog and digital effects, keyboards, mixers, tape machines and organs from the early 1950s till today, and the whole collection is 'hiding' under an industrial bunker located in Switzerland. We guarantee you that the Swiss banks are not involved in this affair. Welcome to SMEM, the Swiss Museum of Electronic Music based in Fribourg Switzerland. We spoke to Vincent Borcard, who along-with 20 other volunteers is currently involved in building the Swiss Museum of Electronic Music. He let us have a 'long peek' into this vast collection of synthesizers, samplers and various forgotten electronic gadgets. The underground vault located in Fribourg is about to manifest itself into public access, playrooms and exhibitions in the near future. A very exciting prospect for all synth lovers, gadget freaks, sound designers, historians and including children and adults 'who love to tweak'.
What is the idea behind SMEM? The foundation...
SMEM was first conceived by Klemens Trenkle, the person who collected all these instruments. Two years ago, he was searching for a 'new home' for his vast unarchived collection in Fribourg. Eventually we created a non-profit association to welcome the idea. Currently we are a team of about 20 volunteers who take care of all the activities of the SMEM: inventory, events, communication, playroom. We are currently archiving all the instruments in order to know the actual span of this amazing collection.
Who is Klemens Trenkle?
He is from Basel and has long been passionate about musical instruments. Klemens Trenkle's donation of all his instruments resulted in the formation of SMEM. He has been building his collection for over 35 years and is still looking for instruments to 'complete' the collection. He is also an actor and does various things on the side. A very active person to say the least... Initially he owned a music store and this spree to collect synths and gadgets started there on. About the importance of this collection, he always states 'that the creators of these musical instruments, designers, engineers, inventors, were also artists'. He also mentioned that it is most essential endeavor to preserve these instruments, which is part of our heritage, our culture : for future generations.
SMEM was first conceived by Klemens Trenkle, the person who collected all these instruments. Two years ago, he was searching for a 'new home' for his vast unarchived collection in Fribourg. Eventually we created a non-profit association to welcome the idea. Currently we are a team of about 20 volunteers who take care of all the activities of the SMEM: inventory, events, communication, playroom. We are currently archiving all the instruments in order to know the actual span of this amazing collection.
Who is Klemens Trenkle?
He is from Basel and has long been passionate about musical instruments. Klemens Trenkle's donation of all his instruments resulted in the formation of SMEM. He has been building his collection for over 35 years and is still looking for instruments to 'complete' the collection. He is also an actor and does various things on the side. A very active person to say the least... Initially he owned a music store and this spree to collect synths and gadgets started there on. About the importance of this collection, he always states 'that the creators of these musical instruments, designers, engineers, inventors, were also artists'. He also mentioned that it is most essential endeavor to preserve these instruments, which is part of our heritage, our culture : for future generations.
How many synths and instruments are there at SMEM warehouse as of now?
We don't know exactly because we are still working on the inventory and it looks like it would take years. What we do know is that there are more than 1000 synthesizers and a total of about 5000 gadgets (which includes samplers, organs, keyboards, pedals, effects, mixers and some very strange hybrid instruments). For an individual it can take days if not a whole week to go through the instruments at SMEM.
SMEM has a lot on it's agenda. Tell us a bit about it?
A lot of things. Our aim is to ensure that these instruments are played and cared for. We want to welcome artists as well as public (children especially) to SMEM. Currently we are planning to organize residencies, workshops and synth conferences. We envision SMEM to be a 'living space'. We have many ideas, but implementation will depend a lot on our ability to finance them. Currently we are setting up funding options and awareness programs... At SMEM, since it's inception we have hosted various short programs and invited many producers and synthesizer lovers. You can read and see the details on our new website. Yet we have already proven that we can do a lot with little money. The collection of synths and instruments is still building.
Is SMEM open to collaboration and networking with other synthesizer platforms?
For sure! We look forward to such ideas ...
We don't know exactly because we are still working on the inventory and it looks like it would take years. What we do know is that there are more than 1000 synthesizers and a total of about 5000 gadgets (which includes samplers, organs, keyboards, pedals, effects, mixers and some very strange hybrid instruments). For an individual it can take days if not a whole week to go through the instruments at SMEM.
SMEM has a lot on it's agenda. Tell us a bit about it?
A lot of things. Our aim is to ensure that these instruments are played and cared for. We want to welcome artists as well as public (children especially) to SMEM. Currently we are planning to organize residencies, workshops and synth conferences. We envision SMEM to be a 'living space'. We have many ideas, but implementation will depend a lot on our ability to finance them. Currently we are setting up funding options and awareness programs... At SMEM, since it's inception we have hosted various short programs and invited many producers and synthesizer lovers. You can read and see the details on our new website. Yet we have already proven that we can do a lot with little money. The collection of synths and instruments is still building.
Is SMEM open to collaboration and networking with other synthesizer platforms?
For sure! We look forward to such ideas ...
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