Yuri Suzuki conducts orchestra of gesture-controlled mechanical bells in latest installation

Sound designer Yuri Suzuki has created an orchestra of mechanical bells controlled by gesture for his latest installation, Sharevari. As demonstrated by Yuri in this short film, the semi-circle of mechanical instruments made from Swarovski crystal can be conducted like an orchestra, with the mechanical elements hitting the crystal according to movements of the user’s hands.

The piece was created for the Design Miami/Basel show as part of Swarovski’s Designers of the Future exhibition, also featuring works by Anjali Srinivasan and Studio Brynjar & Veronika.

In the film Yuri explains that he used the project with Swarovski to investigate new properties of the crystal, and as a sound designer he explored the resonation of the material to make a musical instrument.

Yuri will be speaking at this month’s Nicer Tuesdays event about his AR Music Kit project, which allows users to transform anything from tennis rackets to cardboard boxes into musical instruments via augmented reality markers.

Video: Laura Bushell