Fuzzy Synth

Handmade musical instruments combining textile art and analog synthesis

Fuzzy Synth is a project that began from a desire to create from scratch something not far from the electronic musical instruments we were using as an ensemble everyday. Covered in textiles and fibers, these instruments introduce an imaginary landscape to their performer, where the act of patching and playing is linked to the natural ecosystem suggested by the textile art.

Working to create electronic instruments without much prior knowledge, we were able to ask ourselves questions about an instrument’s efficiency and functionality, intuition, and performativity.

Our ideal instrument would be more minimal, perhaps less efficient, but would spark creativity every time we approach it. There is nothing perfect in our DIY method, but the idiosyncrasies become the cracks brimming with some of our most satisfying musical ideas: these are instruments that become friendly over time, just as every instrument takes patience and understanding. Even more, the instrument is a collaboration between the visual and tactile senses, as the performer must find their way through the fibers to create sound. We also liked the idea of play, that music cannot be taken with the seriousness that some esoteric artforms demand, where the risky complexity of patching on such a fuzzy instrument can almost recall Japanese chindogu.

The instruments were realized with the support of the fashion company JNBY, and textile materials were provided to us from their FabLab in Hangzhou. The project was developed during our residency at the Swatch Art Peace Hotel Residency in Shanghai (2020). 

The Fuzzy Synth is made from wood, electronic components, acrylic, and wool fibers.