Harmonic Table
Abstract :
The
Harmonic Table was born by introducing the sound as a founding
material of its original design.
It
is the synthesis between an urban furniture, a sculpture and an
instrument which commits itself to a participative usage, playful and
contemplative; the table acts as a sound force of attraction in the
public space.
Intention :
The
table is conceived according to the leitmotiv “Form follows
Sound”.
Thanks to its horizontal plane subdivided in membranes
covering some resonator crates, the table goes beyond its urban
furniture nature to reveal itself as a sound percussive object.
Visually,
the variation of the joined modules, like an inverted topography,
offers a dynamic aesthetic to the passer-by, provoking curiosity.
Immediately
apprehensive, interactive and playable with hand, the table invites
to a roundup and to the exchange between the people around.
Both
object of production and of listening, the table articulates the
activity and gives a sound identity to the surrounding places.
Impact :
Assuming
a role of an urban common, directly intended for the use of the
community on the site, the table aims to democratise music and create
links between the users and the public, who can easily switch their
role. This leads to a public appropriation of the place where the
table is installed.
The
aim is to generalize the learning and the practice of music and
rhythm by a process of trabsversal teaching based on knowledge
sharing.
Therefore,
the table could naturally be installed near places such as schools,
parks, squares, etc.
As
this construction is relatively simple, it could be an option to be
built directly on the site, with the participation of the residents.
Morever, as the table is a modules based construction, the final
design could also extends and evolves with the inputs of the people
involved.
Conception
:
The
prototype of the table measures 80x80x90cm.
The
carrier structure of the table is made of flat steel section, welded
amongst themselves, acting like a matrix which holds the 16
resonators crate (in spruce).
These 16 modules are identical in
plan (20x20cm) in order to offer a resonance and an enjoyable
ergonomic playing. Only their height offers a range of 7 different
sizes (so different sound frequencies).
The
hitting surfaces are made of poplar slab of 4mm which ensure a good
compromise between resistance and acoustic vibration.
The
membranes of the 4 central modules are mounted on springs and
equipped with a musical element (snare, bell, maracas, cymbal) on
their internal faces.
The
seat are classical cajons, borrowing the same constructive language
of the table.
The
whole elements are treated against rain.
Video
exemple of a jam session (with one professional drummer) :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmWmnKcjioo&feature=emb_logo
Video
Marmaille : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkigaJP7rWg
marmaille : noun feminine : 1. familiar. Group of several young noisy kids.
XX kids, 25 cheap synthetizers and 1 Harmonic Table
Video of the soundcheck : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B84l29Q9Ax4
