Author: Markus Koistinen

Dancer Vase

DANCER VASE is a series of kinetic and performative sound objects made out of porcelain. The series consists of experiments based on one mother form inspired by human body. With the experiments I wanted to question how objects relate to our physical properties and how could a vase be made into a musical instrument – from a static container to a dynamic, performative object.

www.markuskoistinen.com
markus.koistinen@gmail.com

dancer_vase

By casting and cutting the DANCER VASE form in various ways I created instruments each with a unique sound.

UDU is made by cutting a hole on the side of the vase. By tapping and covering the holes with fingers one can play melodies within a range of five notes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSxB6HMUjhc

THE BELLS were made by cutting the vase in two. The horizontally cut halfs make a bell like sound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVV9JdiCFk0

THE TONGUE is made by cutting slits on to the vase. It is played with small balls inside the vase and make a rattling, shaker type of sound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUYj2HpAIuI

THE VASE itself can be played by tapping on the hole or on the center of the bottom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLXhZdyGyGg

More videos on the DANCER VASE playlist.

Analog Experiments

Analog experiment #1
THE UDU

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https://youtu.be/xSxB6HMUjhc

 

Analog experiment #2
THE BELLS

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https://youtu.be/QKECJEc5RO0

https://youtu.be/DVV9JdiCFk0

https://youtu.be/0ipN4gXqyw0

 

Analog experiment #3
THE TONGUE

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https://youtu.be/UUYj2HpAIuI

 

Instruments #1
THE BALLS (flat/small/big)

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Instruments #2
THE STICKS (velcro, porcelain pick-up, cork)

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Digital experiments

 

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Original form of small vase with markers for 3d scanning

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Scanned model in Rhinoceros GIF

Animation showing effect of reducing resolution of the surface

 

 

DIGITAL EXPERIMENT #1: SHAKER

Experiment for laser cutting ceramic foil.
The design for the shaker is based on a 6-piece comb structure with 9 integrated porcelain balls.
73 x 69mm (50% of original model)

Screenshot 2015-12-13 22.01.43

Variations of comb based structure for laser cutting

Screenshot 2015-12-13 22.04.58_shaker

Final 3d model

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Parts of cardboard mockup

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Cardboard mockup

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Laser cutting parts from 1mm porcelain foil

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Inserting porcelain balls and glueing seams

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The first burned experiment came out twisted

 

DIGITAL EXPERIMENT #2: CLICK

Screenshot 2016-01-11 22.53.26_sphere

Screenshot 2016-01-11 22.53.26_lores

 

 

Sketches & Process

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The form was shaped free hand on the spinning wheel. The aim was to transfer the spinning motion of dancing in to the vase.

 

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The casting form for the small Dancer Vase.

 

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The effect of shrinkin: the plaster positive, biscuit fired, final fired

 

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Ideas for possible sound experiments.

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First batch of experiments.

 

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Idea for different sizes of vases.

 

https://youtu.be/_xGHDteaXAY

Sound recording of experiments.