I've been working on many things recently, including various permutations of my Gelkies - basically synthesizers inside of jars. They are very cute. Some of you liked my Jam Jar synth so I thought I would post my latest creation here!
Here's a video: link
I've made many different versions, the latest being a series that talk to themselves. There are two kinds, males and females, and they need to pair up to make noise. The female is an amplifier, while the male is the noisemaker. Inside each male Gelkie there is a series of LEDs that light up in response to sound. There are also a couple of light sensors that control a synthesizer - whenever the light sensors see light they turn off the sound, and whenever it goes dark the synthesizer makes a noise. So when a male gelkie is paired with a female gelkie it creates a sort of negative feedback loop.
They've just been installed at the Hannah Maclure Gallery in Dundee, Scotland, as part of a show called "Word Games". This is the text that goes along with the piece:
The Gelkie is a strange and mythical creature, whose very existence was in doubt until recently. Native to Scotland, the Hannah Maclure Centre is delighted to present these highly endangered specimens in something resembling their natural habitat. Researchers are still puzzling over their mating habits, but what is clear is that male and female Gelkies must form pairs in order to communicate in their peculiar language of light and sound. A solitary Gelkie is a sad sight indeed, unable to express the slightest noise. But while they naturally form couples, scientists are perplexed by their tendency to spend most of their lives arguing. With time, and your support, Gelkies can flourish throughout Scotland. Please contact the Scottish Gelkie Appreciation Society (SGAS) for information about how you can help these remarkable creatures.
You can see a lot more info and pictures at my website: link
 
Edinburgh, UK
About me
I am usually known as The Amazing Rolo. or Yann.
my website (blog, movies, music, sound documentaries, portfolio): link my music with my brother: link I also founded Lucky Frame Limited. We make fun musical toys like the Wii LoopMachine, Mujik, Gelkies, and more: link Mujik website: link Wii Loop Machine: link  +Most Recent Blogs
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Electronic Music other: Gelkies sound installation in Dundee
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Written June 29 2009
Comments
what's with the astroturf? just to have some visual interest? or maybe you're going for a kind of "these jars are animals" effect or something?
i'll listen better when i get a chance. my compy at work can't view the videos properly. hehehe that's exactly what i was going for, i wanted it to look a bit like a zoo. i also just liked the way the astroturf looked, it added color in a nice way.
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