Goldmund Apologue x Pinel et Pinel x Kongo

6 listopada 2024

The most beautiful speakers in the world?

When a Swiss manufacturer of high-precision sound systems, an exceptional French luxury trunk maker, and an internationally renowned contemporary artist join forces, it results in an extraordinary sound sculpture.

It is a story of people, passions, and emotions, focused on the senses: sight, touch, and hearing. The meeting of three emblematic figures and their expertise: Yohann Segala, President of Goldmund; Fred Pinel, President and Founder of Pinel et Pinel; and Cyril Kongo, a graffiti-inspired painter who has collaborated with the most prestigious luxury houses (Hermès, Richard Mille, Daum…). Together, they decided to push the boundaries of sound, art, and leather craftsmanship by producing a limited edition of 20 pairs of unique sculptural speakers: the Goldmund Apologue Ultimate Pinel et Pinel & Cyril Kongo edition.

In 1987, Goldmund’s Apologue speaker was selected by MoMA for its design. In 2013, an Anniversary edition was released, enhanced with digital technologies and numerous proprietary principles. Today, the Swiss manufacturer has taken it a step further with a version wrapped in leather by the Parisian atelier Pinel et Pinel, hand-painted by Cyril Kongo, who was given complete creative freedom, and limited to only 20 pairs. Exceptional pieces, true masterpieces.

“We designed these speakers as sculptures,” explains Fred Pinel. “It is a multisensory work that bridges the world of ultimate hi-fi, luxury leather goods, and contemporary art.”

Designed and fully assembled in Switzerland, the Goldmund Apologue x Pinel et Pinel x Kongo speakers are wrapped in smooth calfskin leather with 16 meters of hand-stitched seams. A colossal task considering each speaker weighs over 300kilos. More than 15 pieces of leather, previously hand-painted by the artist, need to be assembled for each speaker. This process is like a complex puzzle for Cyril Kongo : he must create his painting on a flat surface and paint in reverse, while anticipating the final assembly. Each complete set forms a unique piece of art in its own right.

“When I was younger, I experimented a lot with sound systems, so I realize how incredibly fortunate I am to meet the experts at Goldmund, among the best in the world,” says Cyril Kongo. “I have a passion for music and musicians, but also for artisans like Fred Pinel. Together, we pursue excellence. I conceived my works as a collection of sculptures, but even more exclusive. They incorporate the elements that define my pictorial style, my artistic vocabulary, my personality.”

The synergy between the three creators made this six-handed work particularly captivating. Several back-and-forth exchanges between Yohann Segala, Fred Pinel, and Cyril Kongo were necessary over the past few months to produce two series of 20 speakers each and finalize the designs and colors.

“We told ourselves it had to be a sculpture, not just another artist’s painting on an object,” explains Yohann Segala. “The speaker is so incredible in terms of acoustics that it needed to become even more of an object of desire. The result is a UFO that astonishes the eye while caressing your ears. It’s impossible to remain indifferent to it.”

Designed by doctors of acoustics and crafted entirely by hand, Goldmund speakers are renowned in the audiophile world for their minimalism and expertise. This new collection breaks the traditional codes of a market filled with passionate enthusiasts.

“With these colors and Cyril Kongo’s work, we are venturing off the beaten path,” continues Yohann Segala. “We are stepping out of our niche of specialists to reach younger buyers and collectors, particularly in Asia, who are sensitive to all the exceptional aspects of these active speakers.”