Singing Papers

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Ok, this is one for the books! One of the most surprising things I've ever seen.

Artist JooYoun Paek has created paper that sings. And it sings with healing and harmonizing tones! It's made with Taoist principles in mind which I am not familiar with but the sounds are strangely pleasing. The video shows several configurations, some sections where multiple pages become a beautiful chorus. My mind, like yours I'm sure, goes immediately to a book or a pop-up with this technology. Can you imagine!?

From the project page: (found via Swiss Miss)

"Fold Loud is a (de)constructing musical play interface that uses origami paper-folding techniques and ritualistic Taoist principles to give users a sense of slow, soothing relaxation.

Fold Loud interconnects ancient traditions and modern technology by combining origami, vocal sound and interactive techniques. Unlike mainstream technology intended for fast-paced life, Fold Loud is healing, recovering and balancing.

Playing Fold Loud involves folding origami shapes to create soothing harmonic vocal sounds. Each fold is assigned to a different human vocal sound so that combinations of folds create harmonies. Users can fold multiple Fold Loud sheets together to produce a chorus of voices. Opened circuits made out of conductive fabric are visibly stitched onto the sheets of paper which creates a meta-technological aesthetic. When the sheets are folded along crease lines, a circuit is closed like a switch. Thus, the interface guides participants to use repetitive delicate hand gestures such as flipping, pushing and creasing. Fold Loud invites users to slow down and reflect on different physical senses by crafting paper into both geometric origami objects and harmonic music.