Megaphones

source:matterdesignstudiocom
Twenty custom robotically printed megaphones focus acoustic energy into hyper-directional streams, giving agency to each singer in directing the imprint of their voices in different manners. Each megaphone shapes sound in a unique way—variably in line or perpendicular to the performer, with narrow or wide washed bands of sound, some split into multiple directions, while others focus on a point. These family of megaphones are revealed through a series of tableaux. Relative to the human body some of the megaphones mask while others disguise. The megaphones were designed for composer Ashley Fure’s new piece ‘Filament’ as a way to democratize the New York Philharmonic. Breaking with the proscenium tradition of the symphony, where action is frontal and ticket prices increase toward the stage, the megaphones seek to distribute the visceral power, spreading access throughout the space.
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source:.matterdesignstudiocom
Matter Design is a synthesis of art and science. It is simultaneously a design practice and a research lab. The confluence of these disparate worlds produces the uniquely playful and rigorous work of the lab. Matter Design leverages alternative ways of thinking to reconsider the future of our built environment.

The team collaborates with industrial partners, composers, historians, visual artists, and other creative minds. The lab critically evaluates false assumptions to provide new directions for the digital era. It specializes in identifying ancient knowledge that holds resonance with topics of today. The team unearths abandoned knowledge, develops computation and design methods, and translates these methods into contemporary digital craft, advancing both past and present. The work breaks disciplinary notions of scale—from objects to buildings. But, the lab is best known for its experimental built speculations that provide otherworldly experiences to visitors. These experiments provoke speculations of possible futures, while also demonstrate applications for today.

Matter Design publishes its top-tier architectural research and is also recognized as an influential design practice with awards such as the Architectural League Prize for Young Architects + Designers, the Design Biennial Boston award, AZ awards, AIA Small Projects Award, BSA Honor Award, and others. The work is exhibited world-wide and garners media attention. Matter Design is dedicated to imagining better futures by physicalizing digital potentials.
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source:urdesignmagcom
Boston-based architecture studio Matter Design has teamed up with composer Ashley Fure on her new piece titled ‘Filament’ which will debut at the New York Philharmonic’s Opening Gala Concert this Thursday, September 20, 2018. Breaking with the proscenium tradition of the symphony, where action is frontal and ticket prices increase toward stage, this piece seeks to distribute the visceral power of sound into the far reaches of the concert hall.

Towards this end, the voices of the Constellation Chor carrying megaphones moves throughout the audience as the work unfolds. These singers democratize proximity by spreading access to the intimacy of performance throughout the space.

Twenty custom robotically printed megaphones focus acoustic energy into hyper-directional streams, giving agency to each singer in directing the imprint of their voices onto the audience. Each megaphone shapes sound in a unique way — variably in-line or perpendicular to the performer, with narrow or wide washed bands of sound, some split into multiple directions, while others focus on a point. The megaphones are designed to help the choir manifest a dramatic presence to counterbalance the proscenium pull of the orchestra onstage.