MUTE is a musical instrument created with cooperation from the Shema organization to help educate partially and fully deaf children so they can share the joy of self-expression with the rest of the world.
In designing the tool, Gal Zarski asked himself “How does a sound feel?” Bone conduction technology became an obvious option as it allows sounds to be felt throughout the bones in the body. The system utilizes four controllers (two held in the hands and two worn on the legs) that map the space and translate hand/food movements into vibrations with varying intensity and rate. Depending on how the user moves or “plays” the instrument, the vibrations will adjust along with the outputted music. Traditional instruments like a guitar or drums can even be mimicked and edited using the accompanying application. It transforms what was once a defining difference between those who can hear and those who can’t is now a collaborative platform for everyone!
Designer: Gal Zarski
