Complex Business
a condensed retrospective on the carriere of Albert XU,
Building For Music, curated in collaboration with Wei Wu Ying.
Weiwuying stands as a testament to XU's genius, and XU is celebrated through the legacy of Weiwuying. Renowned for its exceptional acoustics, Weiwuying's various halls were meticulously crafted by XU, a master of architectural acoustics.
This exhibition is a condensed retrospective on the carriere of the architectural acoustician in the public space of Wei Wu Ying.
Memorial Concert [7 December, 19:00]
For the Master of Architectural Acoustics-Albert XU
with CHIEN Wen-pin & Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra
"Without music, architecture becomes a mute shell."
Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, rooted in the land and inspired by banyan trees, stands as the masterpiece of the contemporary architectural acoustics maestro, Albert Ya-ying XU. In commemoration of his passing, Weiwuying, together with XU's family, has orchestrated this concert to convey XU's legendary acoustical energy in the sound temple he meticulously crafted. Conducted by Weiwuying's Artistic Director, CHIEN Wen-Pin, the Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra will perform XU's favorite orchestral works, including MUSSORGSKY's Pictures at an Exhibition, BEETHOVEN's Symphonies No. 4 and 7, BRAHMS' Symphony No. 2, and DEBUSSY's La Mer. The concert will also feature a new composition by XU's daughter, Mimi XU, in memory of her father, and visual presentations by documentary director YANG Shou-yi and XU's granddaughter, visual artist Maily BEYRENS-XU, capturing XU's acoustical legacy and her personal memories of him.
Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, rooted in the land and inspired by banyan trees, stands as the masterpiece of the contemporary architectural acoustics maestro, Albert Ya-ying XU. In commemoration of his passing, Weiwuying, together with XU's family, has orchestrated this concert to convey XU's legendary acoustical energy in the sound temple he meticulously crafted. Conducted by Weiwuying's Artistic Director, CHIEN Wen-Pin, the Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra will perform XU's favorite orchestral works, including MUSSORGSKY's Pictures at an Exhibition, BEETHOVEN's Symphonies No. 4 and 7, BRAHMS' Symphony No. 2, and DEBUSSY's La Mer. The concert will also feature a new composition by XU's daughter, Mimi XU, in memory of her father, and visual presentations by documentary director YANG Shou-yi and XU's granddaughter, visual artist Maily BEYRENS-XU, capturing XU's acoustical legacy and her personal memories of him.
Where The Echo Comes From
[premiering on 7 December 2024]
a short film on Albert Yaying Xu’s archive
In this poetic short film, artist Maïly Beyrens Xu delves into the extensive archives of their late grandfather, Albert Yaying Xu, shortly after his passing. As they sifted through his vast collection of recordings, an artistic journey emerged — one that allows viewers to first experience the world through Yaying’s eyes and ears, only for the perspective to shift, letting us witness how the world saw him.
With a deep focus on sound, the film offers an intimate view into the life of the renowned acoustician, exploring how he transformed the fleeting nature of sound into something tangible through architecture. Behind the scenes of some of the world’s most iconic venues, we witness moments of sound testing, scale models, and other critical stages of his work. But interwoven with these professional moments is a portrait of Yaying’s love for his family — a connection that permeated both his career and personal life.
As Maïly Beyrens Xu reflects, “While archiving and digitizing thousands of minutes of footage, I saw so much of myself, and my grandfather’s friends and family. It was as though family was a driving force in his career, and his career was a thriving part of his family life. Everything was intertwined for him, equally full of passion and dedication.”
This film is not only a tribute to the groundbreaking work of Albert Yaying Xu but also a personal exploration of the relationships that shaped both his professional and personal worlds.
His profound influence on Maïly Beyrens Xu’s own artistic career — from handing them the camera, to teaching them the art of deep listening & observation — has deeply shaped the way they approach their own work.
Sonic Playground
A participative soundwalk through the Banyan Plaza — the public space of Wei Wu Ying.
Join us for "Sonic Playground: A Soundwalk Through the Banyan Plaza" Explore the fascinating world of architectural acoustics in this creative, interactive workshop led by artist Maïly Beyrens XU.
In this session, we'll delve into the acoustic principles that make spaces like concert halls andeven your bathroom sound so unique. Through singing improvisation, play, and collective exploration, you'll experience firsthand how sound interacts with the environment. This isn't just a theoretical workshop — it's an immersive experiment where you'll discover the power of sound and space.
Inspired by her grandfather Albert XU, the renowned acoustician behind Weiwuying, the workshop takes place in the Banyan Plaza. Originally, this open and dynamic space posed acoustic challenges. Rather than trying to suppress echoes and reverberations, XU and his team embraced the natural acoustics of the plaza, making it an inviting soundscape for musicians and the public alike. Over time, amateur musicians began to choose their favorite spots, drawn to the places where their instruments resonated best.
Now, it's your turn to explore this acoustic playground. You'll walk through the plaza, experimenting with sound and learning how acoustics shape your environment. Whether you're familiar with acoustics or just curious, this workshop will transform how you perceive sound in everyday spaces.
Analogue
Digital
Past