Instruments
Chowndolo
The Chowndolo is a digital instrument based on a magnetic pendulum. As the pendulum swings, its motion is disrupted by magnetic forces, creating unstable movements that are transformed into sound. The instrument is played by arranging magnetic tiles beneath the pendulum, altering its trajectory and reshaping the resulting sonic patterns. The interaction between the pendulum and the magnetic field produces a continuously shifting composition. As if guided by invisible hands, the Chowndolo channels the magic of magnetism, weaving a sonic spell where chaos and harmony entwine.
The name Chowndolo (from the Italian word "ciondolo" meaning "swinging pendant") is a tribute to John Chowning, a pioneer in electronic composition and voice synthesis. The instrument creates sound using FM audio synthesis, which was discovered by Chowning 1967.
Over the past few years, Chowndolo has proven to be a rather successful instrument, showcased in a range of contexts ranging from sound art exhibitions to academic conferences and live performances. Its public deployment has provided valuable opportunities to critically reflect on issues of sustainability and long-term use. The Chowndolo has been redesigned both for small-scale production [1] and to withstand extended public exhibition [2]. These transformations aim to preserve the original aesthetic and interactive qualities of the piece, while improving its durability, ease of repair, and adaptability for future iterations.
The Chowndolo won the Third Prize at the The Guthman Musical Instrument Competition (edition 2022). Public exhibitions include: Barbican “Feel the Sound” - London, Sonar+D - Barcelona, IRCAM Forum - Paris, Ars Electronica - Linz, Sonorities Festival - Belfast, NIME conference - Porto Alegre.
[1] Merendino, N., Giacomo, L., Rodà, A., & Raul, M. (2023). Redesigning the Chowndolo: a reflection-on-action analysis to identify sustainable strategies for nimes design. In Proceedings of the international conference on new interfaces for musical expression.
