An interactive musical instrument built from empty nitrous cylinders, transformed into a tool for healing and reflection.
Inside a church-like hexagonal structure, two participants sit at facing keyboards. One triggers mallets that strike tuned steel chimes; the other plays a MIDI-controlled acoustic string instrument. Together they create an immersive soundscape accompanied by warm lights that fade with each note. Part sound bath, part meditation—the installation offers a contemplative space where visitors can slow down and reconnect.
The two keyboards facing each other invite strangers and friends to share an intimate, nonverbal creative connection in the midst of a larger party.
Background
The instrument was constructed from cylinders cleared from a friend's home during the depths of their addiction. This project represents my journey through PTSD from that experience—exploring how we can transform difficult experiences into something beautiful. It's about showing care and compassion for trauma responses, and how those practices can shift the behavioral patterns that pain has taught us.
Build
This was largely a solo project, with friends kindly assisting along the way in prototyping the UX and installing at events. I built the hexagonal wooden structure, designed and fabricated the custom MIDI electronic mallets, and created the lighting system—all to craft an intimate space that balances technical interactivity with emotional resonance.
