This is an instrument created in collaboration with Nadia Wolff for a Freshman Spatial Dynamics class at the Rhode Island School of Design. This is an instrument created by two people who have little to no musical experience. It works as a music/noise machine by placing the hands on the rotating discs.This project as a whole was inspired partially by an illustration we found depicting an imaginary music machine and the aesthetics of the Memphis Milano design group.  

The furniture aspect of this instrument is constructed of plywood and some PVC piping, for the legs. The hands are made of cast plastic. The molds were originally made from casting my own hands in alginate and then using liquid plastic to hollow cast the hands. The cuffs are made with 3D molding software and then 3D printed. The hands are attached to the instrument with gooseneck so they can be moved and hold their position.

We will soon be working on a video/sound recording to acompany the photos.  

The lights can be turned on while the instrument is played. This top view shows a  disc placed in the inset on the surface of the instrument. The playing disc rests a smaller disc with a peg going through the center which holds it in place while a motor from an old turn table below rotates it. This motion with the hollow hands rubbing against the surface creates sound. Though the hands are hollow with cuffs for amplification of the sound, a contact mic can be placed on the hands for further amplification.  

These discs are made of wood and a composite material. Each pattern was designed in Adobe Illustrator and then cut using a CNC Machine. The middle disc was cut in the inverse of the other two. 

close up of discs resting in the pocket designed to hold them when they are not in use

This illustration by Mike Stout was one of our original inspirations for the instrument's design. 

A collection of process photos, including the casting process and furniture building.