An emerging collaborative sound sculpture that transforms organic waste into functional biopolymers
Explore the ProjectImagine a musical instrument that you can not only play but also help build—a living latticework of sound that grows and changes through collaboration.
This innovative project blurs the lines between sculpture, musical instrument, and communal performance, creating a system that is as much about the people who shape it as the materials it's made from.
At its core, Sensattice is built upon a powerful conceptual premise: the synthesis of two fundamental materials that mirror the properties of "skin and bone" 1 3 . This biological metaphor guides both the physical construction and the acoustic character of the sculpture.
True to the nature of sound sculpture, Sensattice embraces a rich variety of disciplines, weaving together music, plastic arts, performance, and spatial design 1 .
Unlike a static art object, Sensattice is described as an "emerging system." Its final form evolves through the involvement of people and their unique knowledge and perspectives 1 .
A key feature is that it can be "sounded before, during and after the sculptural construction" 1 , making building part of the musical performance.
The visionary concept of Sensattice is made tangible through groundbreaking material science. The research team, which includes experts in biomaterials and engineering, embarked on a process to synthesize the project's fundamental building blocks from organic raw materials typically considered waste 3 4 .
Derived from organic waste; flexible and membrane-like.
Provides resonant surfaces and haptic interfaces; can be vibrated or struck to produce sound.
Derived from organic waste; rigid and structural.
Forms the load-bearing lattice and modular framework of the sculpture; influences acoustic propagation.
The team applied principles of biomaterial science to formulate recipes and processes for converting organic waste into functional biopolymers with specific acoustic and haptic properties.
Using 3D modeling and printing, the researchers designed and created components that would be difficult or impossible to produce by hand 1 .
While many scientific experiments take place in isolated labs, the "key experiment" of Sensattice is its very construction. The process of building the sculpture is a crucial test of its core principles: collaboration, modularity, and emergent form.
The process begins with the collection of organic raw materials deemed as waste. These materials are then processed and converted into the "skin" and "bone" biopolymers 1 3 .
Both digital and manual techniques are used to create the individual modules of the sculpture. This could involve 3D printing rigid "bone" connectors and casting or forming flexible "skin" panels.
Participants gather to assemble the modules into a growing latticework. There is no single blueprint; the final form emerges from the collective decisions, interactions, and symbolic perceptions of the group.
Throughout the assembly process, participants are encouraged to interact with the structure sonically. They can tap, strum, or shake the components, testing their acoustic properties and contributing to a soundscape that evolves with the sculpture itself.
The "results" of this experimental process are as much about social and artistic experience as they are about a physical object.
The primary result is a unique sculptural lattice that no single individual could have pre-designed. Its form is a direct consequence of collaborative action.
The project successfully creates a platform for rich haptic (touch) and acoustic exploration. The materials are designed to be felt as well as heard, deepening the participant's connection to the work 1 .
By using waste as a primary resource, Sensattice fosters a powerful dialogue about sustainability, value, and transformation. It demonstrates that what is discarded can be the foundation for beauty and community.
| Item / Solution | Function in the Project |
|---|---|
| Organic Waste Raw Materials | The foundational "reagent"; the base substance transformed into the core biopolymers. |
| Biomaterial Engineering Solutions | Chemical and biological agents used to process and synthesize the "skin" and "bone" biopolymers. |
| 3D Modeling Software | The digital toolkit for designing the modular components and visualizing the emerging lattice structure. |
| 3D Printer & Filament | The fabrication hardware for producing precise, complex, or load-bearing modular components. |
Sensattice is more than an art installation; it is a provocative model for the future of creative and scientific collaboration. It demonstrates how sustainability—through the clever repurposing of waste—can be integrated directly into the heart of artistic practice.
By creating a system where the form is not fixed but emerges from community effort, it challenges the myth of the lone genius, celebrating instead the beauty and complexity of shared creation.
The potential of such a system is vast. It could be adapted for educational workshops, community-building events, or large-scale interactive installations at festivals and public spaces. As Sensattice continues to develop, it invites us all to listen more closely—not just to the sounds it produces, but to the people we create with, transforming the act of making art into a resonant, collaborative symphony.