Ototo
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Yuri Suzuki mimics 'The Sound of the Waves' with surf data
Yuri Suzuki was hunched over a MacBook Air with a "Fuck Brexit" sticker on the lid. He opened Magicseaweed, an ocean-monitoring website for surfers, and searched for a few spots along Spain's northern coast. "It's quite amazing to see the super-precise data we can get," he muttered, turning the screen toward me. I nodded as the sound artist, designer and musician scrolled past endless tables listing hourly wave height and speed, wind and temperature conditions. These numbers, he explained, weren't holiday research but the secret behind his latest and most ambitious art installation, The Sound of the Waves.
NYC MoMA adds five maker devices to its permanent collection
If you've ever been to a Maker Faire, you know its as much of an art show as a technology showcase. Builders debut everything from robotic bands to educational circuitry kits at these events, and the NYC Museum of Modern Art is about to immortalize five maker products into its permanent collection. Early next year, the Arduino, Ototo, Makey Makey, Colour Chaser and a DIY Gamer Kit will be on display in the MoMA's design galleries, serving as representatives of the maker culture to the museum's visitors. MoMA is excited about the new additions, but it's not the first time technology has found its way into the museum's collection: in 2011 both Botanicalls and Little Bits found its way into MoMA's galleries. Check out the announcement at the source link below. [Image credit: NYC MoMA]
This kit lets you build a musical instrument from just about anything
Wish you could easily craft a musical instrument out of whatever you have lying around the house? You'll get that opportunity if Yuri Suzuki's team at Dentaku brings its crowdfunded Ototo kit to market. The synthesizer turns any conductive material into an instrument, changing its sound based on the nature of the object. An eggplant will carry a different tune than tinfoil, for instance. You can take greater control of your performance through optional light-, touch- and even breath-sensitive sensors; the gadget also connects to computers through USB if you'd like to use it as a MIDI controller. It will take a minimum £45 pledge ($74 plus $8 in shipping) to reserve Ototo ahead of its planned launch in June, but it may be worth the expense if you're tired of conventional music-making.
