Sound designer Mateo Garcia brought his project back to Paris for its second edition, SÉANCES II, which took place on November 7 and 8, 2026. Held at KENNEDY, located at 104 avenue du Président-Kennedy, the event explored the relationship between sound, design and architecture through live performances, DJ sets and collective listening sessions.
Who is Mateo Garcia
Mateo Garcia, a French designer born in 1989 and trained at ENSCI-Les Ateliers, established his audio practice to create functional objects sitting at the intersection of design and sculpture. After founding the Manifart collective in 2009 to experiment with multidisciplinarity, he officially launched Mateo Garcia Audio in 2024. This second event follows the inaugural edition held at Maison Kengo Kuma. The former Paris residence of Kenzo Takada, originally constructed in 1993, underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2018 led by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. The historic house provided the setting for the first bespoke audio installation, setting the groundwork for the project's ongoing exploration of how sound can interact with the architecture and environment around it.
The acoustic design inside the KENNEDY building
Developed in collaboration with Naço Architectures, the firm overseeing the repositioning of the site, SÉANCES II utilised a building that is still under construction. The event turned the raw, unfinished interior of KENNEDY into a temporary environment dedicated to sound experimentation. The architecture and its exposed materials integrated directly into the experience, with tailored lighting and acoustic elements shaping the environment for collective listening. The space also featured several dedicated listening areas designed to test the equipment in different acoustic contexts.
At the core of the project were the speakers designed by Mateo Garcia Audio. Engineered as both high-fidelity sound systems and sculptural objects, the units served a dual purpose inside the venue. Beyond accurate sound reproduction, they provided a visual focal point, supplying the setting for the musical exploration throughout the two-day programme. Visitors also received an introduction to the fabrication process behind the equipment, highlighting the technical and design choices involved in building the units from scratch.
The Carhartt WIP and Charlotte Marabelle collaboration
The event also introduced a design partnership with Carhartt WIP. Designer Charlotte Marabelle, whose background includes designing leather goods and accessories for fashion houses such as Bally, Bottega Veneta and Celine, created a custom piece for the project. Marabelle designed and manufactured the item using signature fabric from Carhartt WIP, bridging the gap between workwear materials and spatial sound design.
The Detroit-rooted workwear label frequently engages with the European cultural scene, having recently launched its Autumn/Winter 2026 women's collection in Berlin with a focus on padded canvas jackets, layering and garment-dyed autumn colours. By incorporating this fabric into the installation, SÉANCES II expanded its material vocabulary beyond traditional audio equipment.
Andrea Darren
Curator
Born in Manchester, from a young age, she was passionate about art and design. She studied at the University of the Arts in London, where she developed her skills in these fields. Today, Andrea works as an editor for a renowned publishing house, combining her love for art and design with her editorial expertise.
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