No. 41
Octoquin
By : jacktionman
Entrant’s location : UK
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Description
The Octoquin is a modern and absurdist recreation of the traditional Chinese Duxianqin, one-stringed instrument, created to test the boundaries of what one can consider an instrument, and what one can consider a duxianqin. Using cutting-edge sound synthesis, etextiles and a plush octopus, the Octoquin has been played by a professional duxianqin performer at the Chinese Central Conservatory of Music.
What did you create?
The Octoquin is a modern and absurdist recreation of the traditional Chinese Duxianqin, one-stringed instrument, created to test the boundaries of what one can consider an instrument, and what one can consider a duxianqin. Using cutting-edge sound synthesis, etextiles and a plush octopus, the Octoquin has been played by a professional duxianqin performer at the Chinese Central Conservatory of Music. The piece recreates the six notes possible to play on the Duxianqin by mapping each note to an Octopus leg, and using cutting-edge sound synthesis designed to reflect the true instrument's real tone. It recreates the unique pitch-bending functionality of the original by including an IMU inside the Octopus's head. Finally, each leg is filled with conductive foam, so that the pressure of the performer's squeeze impacts the volume and intensity of each note performed.
Why did you make it?
The piece was created as part of an international collaborative workshop between the UK's Queen Mary University and the Chinese Central Conservatory of Music. The workshop was designed to maximise the co-creation abilities of the two groups to produce a modern interpretation of this traditional and culturally important Chinese instrument. The decision to recreate the instrument as truthfully as possible inside a plush octopush was inspired by a desire to push the boundaries of what an instrument is, and what the duxianqin is. We wanted to retain the sonic and interactive properties, but play with the form and tactile interactions of the piece. We also wanted it to still be recognisable to play from an experienced performer.
How did you make it?
The piece uses a Bela board (designed by QMUL) to handle the inputs and dynamic string synthesis. Each leg has replaced the original octopus filling with conductive foam to allow us to sense the analogue pressure of each note played by the performer. Inside the head of the octopus is an IMU which determines the degree of note-bending, designed to recreate the original horn interface of the duxianqin. The eyeballs of the toy have been replaced by LED buttons to add to the digital-hybrid aesthetic, but also provide mute capabilities and to serve as a reset for the IMU's centre position. All of the technology is within the plush body, including a small speaker and headphone output.
Your entry’s specification
The Octoqin is around 40cm x 40cm x 40cm. It weighs around 400g and is made of soft textiles.