Crafting Sound

Abstract

This thesis presents the role of ceramic musical instruments as a medium for creating sound and noise within musical and artistic context. These instruments, rooted in both historical and contemporary practices, offer a unique intersection of craft, acoustics, and creativity. Thesis aims examine the history of ceramic instruments and presents the works of selected artists who incorporate sound into their ceramic works. In the practical experimentation thesis will study how the organic qualities of ceramics produce sound by designing and constructing prototypes of rattles and flute vessels. Thesis presents the documentation of each step in the creation process, highlighting the interplay between material, form, and sound, and demonstrating the potential of ceramic instruments as tools for artistic expression and design. The end goal of this process is the deeper understanding of how these musical objects are constructed and contribute to the broader understanding of ceramics as a medium for music and design, culminating in the creation of a set of noise making ceramic prototypes.