Patchu

Patchu is a modular sound instrument inspired by the game Twister, exploring how movement, touch and play can become ways of making music together.

The instrument consists of nine interchangeable tiles made with different materials and textures, each with its own tactile and acoustic qualities. Every tile is equipped with a microphone or sound sensor that captures the sounds created through physical interaction. These sounds are recorded and looped, gradually building a collective sound composition.

The looping system allows up to six layers to accumulate. As new sounds are added, the oldest layers gradually fade away, creating an ever-changing composition. When nobody interacts with the instrument, the layers slowly disappear until the composition becomes silent again.

Patchu can be assembled and rearranged in different configurations, whether on the floor, a table or a wall, making it adaptable to different bodies, abilities and ways of playing.

It can be explored freely or through simple games involving movement, timing and collaborative challenges. No musical experience is needed. The idea is to create an accessible and playful environment where people can discover sounds, experiment with materials and make music together.

first prototype: game of nature (2022).

The first version was an instrument designed to explore the relationship between body, movement, and sound. It consisted of nine containers, each filled with a different natural material such as stone, grass, or sand. The setup resembled a "Twister" game, with a carpet of tiles under which piezo microphones captured the sounds of the materials when stepped on. Each piezo microphone was connected to a channel in a sound interface, allowing the sound of each material to be distinctly amplified and processed. The instrument was played by two performers following a specific choreography, where their composed movements generated a dynamic soundscape.