Air Gu Zheng（古筝）
for: Who What Data Wear
year: 2022
Project Manifesto:
Design is Art and Art is Life.
We believe design lives at the intersection of tradition, culture, and technology. When these elements intertwine, they generate ideas that spark a continuous cycle of inspiration.
Our identity is rooted in the traditions and cultures of the past, but the tool of the future is technology. To forge new traditions and build a vibrant culture for tomorrow, we must blend these facets to craft new stories, myths, and legends.
That is why the tools we create must be accessible, adaptable, and always evolving. They should ignite creativity, fuel curiosity, and keep the spirit young. With tools like these, anyone can become a designer and a creator, bringing new art, experiences, and music to life.
Project Statement:
The Air Gu Zheng is a prototype instrument that reconnects a ancient musical tradition with the future of interaction. It uses a sensor-equipped glove to capture the intricate nuances of a player's hand movements, specifically the delicate tremolo technique known as 摇指 (yáo zhǐ), and translates them into authentic digital sound.
The project began as a versatile tool for motion capture but found its soul through technological innovation as a musical instrument. It makes the timeless art of the Gu Zheng accessible, allowing musicians to practice and perform its techniques anywhere, using the air as their strings. The Air Gu Zheng is more than a prototype; it is a bridge between cultural heritage and digital expression, exploring how technology can preserve and recontextualize traditional art forms.
Detail Shot
Process
