Emily Emmett:

Loose Leaf: A sculpture that creates calming and laid back space outside using fabric and sheets of paper assorted in a line. When paired with the wind the sheets work together to create the calming sound of pages flipping, which in many ways signifies the sound of learning and education.

Installed on the green outside the Cambridge Public Library and high school,  this project brings the theme of learning and reading into the outside world and surrounding nature. Loose Leaf works to create a soothing and immersing experience for its users while making sure not to disrupt the quiet spaces of the classroom or the library. This sculpture uses the calming sounds of pages flipping by hanging weighted sheets of fabric and paper. When the wind blows the sheets will come together to create a soft but resonant sound. The idea behind this is to reinforce the importance of reading and knowledge and creating a bridge between learning and the outside world. Anyone can enjoy Loose Leaf, from students from the high school to people reading at the library to any passerby that feels so inspired. The goal is to create an inclusive space that promotes reading and working outdoors and creates an appeal to the general public.

Ethan Donaldson

Loose Leaves is a wind-activated sound sculpture that brings a piece of the library experience outdoors. The goal of the sculpture is to draw a contrast between the subjects taught in classrooms and the outside world to encourage students to reflect more on their own between the two.

Many adolescents aren’t motivated to do well in school. They fail to make the connection between the real world and their academic performance. Loose Leaves seeks to inspire students to ponder what happens between their personal life and the shared education system.  Loose Leaves is a set of hanging curtains that when hung together form a book. To recreate the soothing sound of pages flipping, each curtain made of fabric and paper swings back and forth brushing up against each other.  The inspiration for this project came about by recognizing the progress made in education since 1854 when the Boston Public Library, the first free library in the U.S, opened. Library content has come a long way since then, and in recognition of STEM and other new methods of learning, the sculpture embodies the idea that any environment can be a learning one. In contrast, being an individual comes with a tailored perspective on the whole of the world. A passerby open to speculation might be inspired by this piece and one who’s more wired to hard logic will notice its formal book-like qualities. Both, however, will undeniably recognize the universal sound.

Declan McEnerney

The Instrumental Tree is a series of musical instruments installed onto a tree in front of Cambridge Public Library that is a fun and interactive way for young people to engage in musical education. Users are presented with multi-colored instruments paired with a leveled system of sheet music that aims to make the reading of music less daunting. 

The installation brings music education into a space that people usually don't associate with music, for example, a tree. The higher you climb into the tree the more difficult an instrument there is, Which brings a connection between achievement and music. With this connection, people can be more excited to make music and have a positive connotation connected to it. Paired with the leveled system, this causes the reading of sheet music to be less difficult and allows people to try who would not normally try. 

Isabel Braun

Because parents and educators often think that the arts are unrealistic and unnecessary due to No Child Left Behind and school budget cuts, they are the first programs to be cut or suffer a lack of funding. It has been proven that children who take some form of art are more likely to do better in school and have reduced stress levels - art and music help to lower cortisol,  the chemical that controls stress levels. Introducing kids to music at a young age can be deeply beneficial. In toddlers and infants, music helps the formation of language, the development of motor skills and self-expression. In older kids and adults it aids memory and dexterity.

The Instrumental Tree exposes kids to all parts of music while integrating their innate desire to explore. The project consists of a harp out of a disk-shaped object, a xylophone, and some castanets that are implanted into a tree. The harp and xylophone are strapped to the branches using clips and the castanets are attached and hung from the weeping willow branches. There are also folders with instructions on how to read traditional music notation both pitched and unpitched. The colors are an easy-to-read way to begin to understand notation as there is a graduation system: fist there is just colored dots then those dots are put on a staff. After that, they graduate to reading note names and finally, they read regular notation. As the child climbs higher the notation will grow harder slowly making them more independent. All in all, this project teaches and engages children in a creative outlet that school or parents might not otherwise encourage.

Anara's Brief:

Swing Chime' A calming swing designed to imitate the feeling of being in a mother's womb. The swing helps destress people who need a small break from the pressures of school and work with relaxing chimes and a comfortable seat.

The installation hangs from a branch of a willow tree outside of the Cambridge Public Library Main Branch. Swing Chime helps stressed out and overworked people in society. School and work can be overwhelming and exhausting.  The installation seeks to provide people a break from all the chaos. Swing Chime is a swing built out of wood and ropes with metal chimes hanging from the middle layer. The design of the large swing seeks to evoke the feeling of being in a mother's womb, with ropes cradling a user as they swing back and forth.  While swinging, chimes above the seat create a  naturally relaxing sound.

The project consists of three layers of wooden hexagons. Chimes that hang from the middle layer are activated by a striker hanging from the top layer. The third and largest hexagon is a seat made out of crisscrossed ropes. All the layers are strung together and hang from a tree branch. The layering of the hexagons above the user simulates a feeling of safety and embracing and the openness of the structure keeps the user from feeling claustrophobic or cut off completely from the world around them.

Tinna Brief:

Swing Chimes is an interactive sensory installation that aims to create a calm relaxing auditory experience for the community around Cambridge Public Library. It draws inspiration from the swaying movement and white-noise of being in the womb for users to de-stress in a safe and calming space.

The installation is a three-layered swing with each layer serving a different purpose. The lowest layer acts as the seat and has rope cross-stitched to allow for comfortable and stable sitting. The Chimes hang from the middle layer and are high enough so the user can sit comfortably and not get hit by them. The top layer attached the three layers together as well as to the tree branch. The movement of the swing activates the striker (that hangs from the top layer) which then hits the chimes, creating a calming subtle interactive experience to destress and relax.

 " Musical zip-line" is an interactive meditative walking path guided by sound that brings calmness and relaxation to Cambridge residents. Bells are placed along a path, and can be glided along in order to create song. 

Whether it be the stress of school, the fast paced nature of work, or simply the hustle and bustle of everyday life, people need a way to relax and decompress. Meditation has been proven to be an effective way of relieving stress with numerous positive effects. Meditation Maze works to bring meditation to the lives of Cambridge residents, by acting as a tool used for walking meditation. The installation consists of metal posts connected with dowels, that allow a sliding piece with attached bells to move back and forth. As residents, walk along the path, they are easily able to move the bells along with them in order to produce sounds to guide their walk. With musical zip-line installed, Cambridge residents will have more access to meditation, and therefore decrease the overall stress in the Cambridge area.

Aveen

Synthetic Manifestation is an audible installation that makes the user think about their daily commute in relation to others. In daily life, students often don’t think about getting to and from school as an action, it’s more of a necessity and is a standard routine. Synthetic Manifestation strives to make the user more aware of the movements of themselves and the people around them, as well as adding a fun touch to their day. The Synthetic Manifestation uses bellows designed for use via stomping, which activates train whistles that make a melody. The installation consits of three units places along any sidewalk, each containing a bellow and two whistles. The piece can be used as a play structure for children, a warning signal for introverts, and a little touch to brighten anyone’s commute. 

Lia

The Stomp-Along Path, created as an alternative and more engaging path to follow sonifies the movement of people. Located in front of Cambridge Public Library, it is designed for students to be more aware of the outdoors and their daily walk.

In daily life, ones walks are no longer in the forefront of their minds. Sonifying Movement strives to make the user more aware of the movements of themselves and the people around them, as well as adding a fun touch to their day. This sound sculpture is intended to be used by all who are able. Though kids may find themselves more drawn to the active aspect of the path, it is a fun alternative route that allows users to be more engaged in outdoors. The Stomp-Along Path consists of three boxes for users to step upon. Each step releases air which then sounds whistles, connected to the air-releasing steps through tubing. The partaker will be creating the sound as each step sets off different whistles. This design is important as it encourage people to be more adventurous and change up their regular routine.