Action Orchestra

Studies have shown that in-person interactions are positively correlated with physical, psychological, and emotional well being of the individuals. However, with the advancement of digital communication, more and more people are becoming dependent on the Internet to connect with their social and family circle, to an extent that it is gravitating towards a form of addiction. Such social phenomenon is much more prominent among young children and adolescents who were born at the boom of technology, and whose childhood and leisure activities are dominated by Internet surfing and social media. “Action Orchestra” is a public interactive installation proposed by young, aspiring high school artists and designers from Art Hope Foundation who seek to increases awareness on this issue, and to provide possible solution. The purpose of this project aims to promote physical interactions among the audiences by giving them an opportunity to create their own piece of music through collaborative efforts.

Introduction of Works

1. Keyboard Seesaw

Two seesaws are designed for child and adult use (0.83' x 8', 0.83' x 10'). Students use discarded tires as the base of the seesaw, by injecting cement into it to increase the weight, and was used to fix the wooden boards base in the middle of the seesaw. Under each side of the seesaw, a tire cut into a semicircle is placed to buffer the elasticity of the seesaw, a touch sensor and aluminum foil are installed where the tire contacts the seesaw, therefore when the aluminum foil comes into contact with the sensor, it emits a piano sound

2. Air Pipe Organ

In the middle of the entire installation art, there are 4 groups, in total of 44 tubes surrounded by different sizes of circle. The height of the pipe is approximately 2'' to 4.5'' and is arranged in the style of a pipe organ. We use PVC pipes as material, and at the bottom of each pipe we placed sensors. When the visitor puts his or her hand on the tube, the tube will make orchestral sounds.

3. Percussion Circle

The Percussion circle is placed in the middle of the entire installation art, composed of 15 different sizes of circular plates. We limit the height to less than 1'' to ensure safety issues, and avoid accident such as falls. There are sensors under each wooden board, when the audience steps on this device, their weight triggers the sensor, and producing a percussive sound。

4. String Music Tent

At the end of the entire installation art, there is a tent (10' x 10' x 7'). We created It as an inverted triangle shape by hanging ropes from the tent's structural frames. Sensors are installed on each rope, whenever the audience touches or walks through the tent, the whole tent will make a string sound.