 Tomoko Ueyama: Watashi-chan Foto:Otto Saxinger |
Watashi-chan is clothing that makes sounds visible.
Balloons integrated in the clothing inflate as soon as a sound is discovered in a person's space, even if the person wearing the clothing does not hear it. The artist would like to show that hearing sounds is proof of living life, that listening to sounds is as much a part of the everyday life we take for granted and yet consciously do, as eating or sleeping. The human audio range is divided into six frequency bands. Depending on the quantity of frequency signals calculated, a signal is sent to one of six electromagnetic valves to open it. The balloons are thus inflated according to the quantity of frequency signals. Air is then released again, to prevent the balloon from popping.
Tomoko Ueyama (J) born 1972 |