BiodegradableSound

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BioCasting session.jpeg

We are happy to host Dann and Angelina to spend a week with us in Zürich, researching, jamming, performing and workshopping. Find out more about our Hacker-in-Residence Programme here.

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the Hacker-in-Residence program at the Swiss Mechatronic Art Society. The atmosphere of curiosity and artistic research was both inspiring and endlessly encouraging. During my residency, I led a workshop called, “Biodegradable Sound: Gelatin Records.” This hands-on workshop aimed to explore the intersection of recorded sound and biodegradability by introducing a method for creating functional and fully biodegradable phonograph records made from gelatin. The Swiss Mechatronic Art Society and its diverse group of members not only helped facilitate this workshop, they supported me by offering the resources and technical support needed to realize the event. My residency also produced various connections with other artists, musicians, and hackers which I continue to maintain to this day. I cannot wait to return to SGMK to continue to explore new topics of research, and continue picking the brains of the incredible community who stands behind this space”

- Dann Disciglio & Angelina Almukhametova

Impressions

Biodegradable Gelatin Records Recipe

Ingredients:

Gelatin Mixture:

  • 55g unflavored gelatin powder (a slightly higher percentage for durability)
  • 250ml distilled water
  • 5g glycerin or sorbitol

Pigments:

  • Matcha powder
  • Ube powder
  • Chili powder
  • Ground Turmeric
  • Terra cotta (finely ground)

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine 5g of glycerin or sorbitol and 250 ml distilled water.

2. After the sorbitol dissolves, slowly stir in 55g of gelatin powder, being sure to dissolve as much gelatin as you can into the water/sorbitol mixture.

3. Gently heat the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly. Make sure not to boil the mixture, but allow it to begin producing froth. Scrape off as much of the froth as possible before plating.

4. At this point, you can add pigment to your solution, mix in evenly.

5. Slowly pour the gelatin mixture onto flat porcelain plates, one at a time, spreading it evenly to create a medium-thin, round layer with a diameter of approximately 12 inches (30 cm).

6. If you would like to decorate your record, you must work quickly, you will only have about a minute after pouring the gelatin before it begins to set. Experiment with different tools, design techniques and color combinations for a unique and personalized look.

7. Once you have poured all of your records, leave them to dry in ambient conditions (no fan, no direct sunlight) for at least 3-4 days.

8. Once the records are dried, they should detach from the plate, if any of the records haven’t detached, you can use a razor blade to help lift it off. Be careful though, the records are fairly fragile.

9. Use a sharp drill bit to very cautiously drill a hole in the center, equivalent to the hole on a traditional record.

10. Etch audio into your records using a toy record cutter. To achieve a louder, more defined sound, be sure to turn up the gain on the record cutter (right below the point of distorting). Roll off frequencies below 100Hz and above 7000Hz, and experiment with weighing down the record head.

11. Your biodegradable gelatin records are now ready to play on any record player! Keep in mind that due to the nature of the materials, gelatin records will not have the same durability. I recommend keeping the record in a dry location to prevent warping.

Biodegradable Sound Vol. 1, a Workshop by Dann Disciglio (US)

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Date

Pre-lude and artist talk

Tuesday, 15. March 2022, 20:00 - 21:00

Main Workshop

Saturday, 19. March 2022, 14:00 - 19:00

Open Jam Dinner and Performance

In the evening there will be a related performance by artist Angelina Almukhametova (Chicago, USA) - “no winners in a nuclear war”

Location

Location: Hackteria ZET - Open Science Lab & SGMK MechArtLab @ Bitwäscherei, ZWZ, Neue Hard 12, 3rd Floor.

Registration

Please regsiter in advance to be informed of preparations and reserve your particpation!

For now... send an email to: dusjagr

Prize: 60 CHF for material + free prizing to support the Mentor

Registration fee can be paid on site in cash or via Twint to 077 993 08 77.

Overview

Biodegradable Sound is a workshop series which explores concepts of biodegradability as they apply to music, instrument making, and the sonic arts. In Vol. 1, participants will learn how to craft and etch their own biodegradable “vinyl” records (made of seaweed, gelatin, and various natural pigments). Participants will not only create their own bioplastic records, they will also etch sounds of their choosing onto the biomaterials using a record etcher provided at the workshop.

1. Introductions

2. Concept for Biodegradable Sound

3. What are bioplastics?

4. Making the records

5. Preparing the audio

6. Etching the record

7. Listening + Discussion

BYOC - Bring your own crap

Participants are welcomed and encouraged to bring their own biodegradable materials that they are interested in experimenting with/adding to their bio-vinyl- either for design purposes, structural integrity, or general intrigue. Some materials to consider are: fruits (including skins and pits), spices, natural fibers, and leaves/foliage. A range of materials will be made available to participants for experimentation including turmeric, red cabbage, spirulina, and coffee grounds.

Dann Disciglio

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Dann Disciglio (b.1993) is a US-based intermedia artist whose practice investigates contemporary ecologies through both analog and digital technologies. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Hampshire College (2015) in art and media theory and a Master of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Sound Department (2019). Disciglio has shown work and performed in New York City, Chicago, Boston, Zürich, Leipzig, Iceland, and Panama City and has published texts in the Journal of Visual Culture (SAGE) and the Minding Nature journal. In 2022, he was selected to be an Emerging Artist Resident at Franconia Sculpture Park (Shafer, MN), Hacker-in-Residence at the Swiss Mechatronic Art Society (ZRH), and as a Creative Resident at the Bloedel Reserve (WA).

https://danndisciglio.com/