What if it were possible to engage in the secret communication of animals? Listen to the trees or play in tune with insects? The natural world around us is always humming, stirring and moving in a sensory soundscape that we normally miss in our daily activities. Technological advancements in bionic devices, prosthetics, and electronic sensory input and actuation have allowed artist and scientist alike to explore decoding the sounds from nature to enhance our understanding and connection to their world. McGill University researchers Joseph Malloch and Ian Hattwick created 3D-printed prosthetic digital instruments which transform movement into music. Kate Reed, a NuVu alum and college student at the Brown/RISD joint program created two projects, one that uses the body as an accordion and a second that uses body prostheses as a way of investigating emotional states. Imagine that you can turn your body into a harp, changing pitch as you move, or use conductive fabric to create a drum machine on your pants. In this studio, students will explore the relationship between music and movement with augmented body extensions. We will compose echos, release vibrations and translate natural forces into musical tones throughout our body.

Students will develop their skills in digital design (computer aided drafting, 3D modeling), rapid prototyping tools (laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC milling), micro electronics (Arduino), music engineering and body attachment techniques to create wearable devices that bring us into harmony with nature.

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Focus Skills/Subjects/Technologies:

   Industrial Design

     Interaction Design

   Digital Fabrication (Laser-cutting, 3d Printing)

   Electronics

   Programming

   Robotics (Arduino)

   Sketching

   3d Modeling

Prerequisites:

• Enrolling students must be between the ages of 11 to 13 (or grades 6-8)

REGISTER HERE!