Interview with Hans Ludwig: The Art of Designing Sound for Museums

One of the key topics we discussed with Hans is the role of music in exhibitions and how it can enhance the visitor’s experience. The impact of sound in cultural spaces is often underestimated, when in fact it is a fundamental component in creating immersive atmospheres. "With music, you reach people’s emotions directly. We live our lives listening to music and sounds. It’s easy to understand through the soundtrack because it connects with you immediately," Hans says.

According to the composer, music can create emotional connections with the exhibition's objects and themes. These soundtracks are not merely to “fill” the space but to amplify the narrative, surrounding the visitor in an environment that allows them to connect more deeply with the content.

Hans explains his creative process for transforming historical periods or artistic styles into sound. "Every exhibition has its DNA," Ludwig mentions. In his work, he dives into thorough research to understand the exhibition’s context: the values, emotions, and messages that need to be conveyed. From there, he begins experimenting with different instruments, textures, and rhythms, seeking the sound that captures the essence of what is being displayed.

"When I work on a historical exhibition, I don’t just aim to create a period atmosphere," Ludwig says, "I want to capture the spirit of that time, the emotions people felt, the soundscapes they might have heard. Similarly, when I compose a soundtrack for a visual artist’s work, the music doesn’t mimic what is seen; it dialogues with the artwork. I immerse myself in what that artist used to listen to, what they enjoyed, their books, their works."

Hans emphasises that a well-designed soundtrack can completely transform an exhibition. "Sound has an enormous emotional power," he asserts. In his experience, one of the keys to successful design is to modulate the visitor’s energy and emotions through sound. The music can be subtle and enveloping, creating a sense of calm or wonder, or it can be more dramatic and intense, heightening tension or suspense, depending on the message.

Additionally, some studies show that music enhances the aesthetic experience and improves the audience's focus, allowing them to absorb the information more effectively. This makes sound a valuable resource, not only for creating an atmosphere but also for enriching the understanding and retention of what is being exhibited.

This conversation with Hans Ludwig encourages us to reflect on how museums and exhibitions can make better use of sound design. Visual elements often take centre stage in exhibition design, but sound has a transformative potential that should not be overlooked.

With this interview, we pose a challenge: Why not incorporate music into your next exhibition? Sound can help not only visit the exhibition but also feel it, as Ludwig suggests.

We invite you to continue exploring how various professionals, like Hans Ludwig, contribute their talent to create richer and more immersive cultural experiences. Which other profiles would you like to see featured in our future interviews? Let us know your suggestions!