Photophono, 2014
The main concept was to combine an ancient material such as clay, with new technologies in order to create a novel contemporary ceramic sonic instrument. Therefore an interactive ceramic was created which contains photocells [light sensors] and which could be categorized as a new class of music instruments that interact with light: The photophones.
The shape of the sculpture is organic, resembling a molecule, referring at the same time to the shape of some seashells. It consists of two main volumes. The external mass and the internal sphere. The outer shell, “the skin” is constructed by small spherical volumes, representing defence and protection. The inner part of the skin, contains a big sphere with an opening, through which the inner texture is visible.
The user can interact with the ceramic by touching the photocells or by illuminating them with a flashlight. The photocells perceive the intensity of the light remoting the volume of each audio channel (one channel per light sensor). The user can create this way a real time sound synthesis. The four speakers surrounding the user are giving the sense of the movement of the sound resulting an interesting soundscape.
This project aims to make an allusion to tactility in art, and especially in ceramic art where the works are extremely fragile. The user has the chance to touch and play with the ceramic, without the fear of destroying it. The sculpture will interact back making the user able to experience the soundscape surrounding him.
Anna Meli, Renia Papathanasiou, Ifigeneia Mavridou, Christina Chrysanthopoulou, Gregoris Mastoras
Project Coordinators:
Taxiarchis Diamantopoulos, Voula Zoi, Tassos Kannelos, Anna Laskari
Copyright Anna Meli
The shape of the sculpture is organic, resembling a molecule, referring at the same time to the shape of some seashells. It consists of two main volumes. The external mass and the internal sphere. The outer shell, “the skin” is constructed by small spherical volumes, representing defence and protection. The inner part of the skin, contains a big sphere with an opening, through which the inner texture is visible.
The user can interact with the ceramic by touching the photocells or by illuminating them with a flashlight. The photocells perceive the intensity of the light remoting the volume of each audio channel (one channel per light sensor). The user can create this way a real time sound synthesis. The four speakers surrounding the user are giving the sense of the movement of the sound resulting an interesting soundscape.
This project aims to make an allusion to tactility in art, and especially in ceramic art where the works are extremely fragile. The user has the chance to touch and play with the ceramic, without the fear of destroying it. The sculpture will interact back making the user able to experience the soundscape surrounding him.
Anna Meli, Renia Papathanasiou, Ifigeneia Mavridou, Christina Chrysanthopoulou, Gregoris Mastoras
Project Coordinators:
Taxiarchis Diamantopoulos, Voula Zoi, Tassos Kannelos, Anna Laskari
Copyright Anna Meli
Photophono Project #01 from Anna Meli Athens on Vimeo.