SURFACE

01/15

a machine that engraves and preserves ambient sounds in porcelain mugs.

concept

As part of project with the rather fuzzy theme "surface" I developed my first machine – an engraving machine that would engrave porcelain cups based on the surrounding sound.

I equipped a ceramic turntable with a custom-built engraving arm that would slowly travel up, while pressing against the ceramic cup. The chisel is actuated by a hand-wound electric coil (electro magnet) based on the input from a sound source (which is of course amplified). Similar to the first attempts at sound recording with wax cylinders in 1885, an artifact is created that preserves and visualizes environmental phenomena.

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endproducts

The cups were handmade based on the iconic form of a simple plastic cup used at concerts and parties. The thin porcelain gave the form however a really nice feeling. Later they were also glazed to make them usable, but the matte finish right after engraving is way nicer.

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