Presenting at the Dutch Design Week, DAE Graduation Show in Microtuin. From 18 - 26 October there will be daily performances at 12:30 and 15:00.
With the String Swing, Eli creates playful and enjoyable interactions, offering a unique way to experience music. After studying the mechanics of various instruments, they designed a swinging bench that doubles as a string instrument. The bench reimagines the traditional use of an instrument, transforming it into a functional object for both domestic and public environments. The strings that support the bench are under tension from the weight of the person sitting on it, they can be played and are amplified through echo boxes in the sides of the swing. The pitch of the strings is influenced by the sitter's weight, but it can also be adjusted by sliding the capo-hand grips along the strings. When swinging or shifting balance, the tension on the strings changes, resulting in a pitch bending effect. The bench can fit two people back to back, so that they can play together and focus on communicating by ear. This isn’t an instrument for creating perfect melodies, but rather for exploring sound and play. Eli’s goal is to encourage those who aren’t musicians or familiar with string instruments to experiment.