The Sound of Spectacle: Xenakis at the Montreal World’s Fair

Abstract

The Polytope de Montréal, conceived by the architect and composer Iannis Xenakis, was the first in a series of five realized “polytopes,” large-scale multi-media installations performed in Canada, France, Iran and Greece. Drawing upon recent archival and field research conducted at the Fonds Iannis Xenakis, Paris, and the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA), Montreal, this article argues that Xenakis’ unique conception of sound and space in the Polytope de Montréal indicates a move toward a new typology of audiovisual architecture that emerged after World War II and coincided with developments in sound and lighting technology. Furthermore, the article explores to what extent Xenakis’ audiovisual architectures are only achievable under the aegis of high-profile international expositions. Finally, it offers some brief observations on the wider relevance of Xenakis’ polytope, and the soundscape of spectacle, as a subject of study for architecture.