Amplitude is a handcrafted glass light sculpture that transforms piano music into ever-changing patterns of color and light. Its undulating glass surface refracts and diffuses LED light, projecting moving patterns onto the surrounding space. Rather than literally illustrating sound, the piece provides an atmospheric interpretation of musical intensity, exploring how spatial light can extend the emotional resonance of music.
Positioned at the intersection of craftsmanship, sound art, and interaction design, the work demonstrates the potential of spatial light to enhance the emotional impact of music. It transforms listening from a purely auditory act into a bodily, environmental experience. Conceived as part of a larger immersive installation, the current prototype functions as a responsive object that is both an instrument and an atmosphere.
An integrated sound sensor connected to an Arduino system enables the lamp to respond in real time to the piano’s dynamics. Subtle passages generate cool, dim blue tones, while increasing volume gradually transforms the space into warmer hues. This culminates in saturated reds at peak intensity. This transition is fluid, allowing the light to “breathe” with the music.
The lamp shade was completely made by hand during my year abroad in Istanbul at the Mimar Sinan University, where I explored glass working techniques and electronic prototyping. I began by sculpting the lamp’s form in ceramics, shaping a square base with a fluid, wavy surface. From this, I created a plaster mold, into which we blew molten glass—capturing the subtle distortions of the original design.
The finished glass piece was then cut into two halves, creating a shell-like form to house the electronics. I programmed the LED system using Arduino, designing simple color transitions to reflect the music's mood and atmosphere. This project allowed me to combine digital fabrication with traditional glassblowing techniques—offering a valuable learning experience in both material experimentation and interactive design.
