The sound and light sculpture, Hulda, is a string instrument that produces both sound and light. During performances Hulda’s surroundings are filled with sounds, patterns, shadows and colours that constantly change. The visual representation of the lights can be adapted to different projects. New colour palettes and different patterns can be designed to fit different concepts, everything from hints of light to more detailed patterns. The instrument has 25 strings and is often tuned chromatically, however it can be adapted to different tunings.    

 

I designed and built the prototype in 2013 as my final project when I was studying fine arts in Gardabaer College. In the summer 2016 I received a grant from the Icelandic Student Innovation Fund to develop the sculpture under the supervision of Berglind María Tómasdóttir, associate professor in contemporary music performance at Iceland University of the Arts, and Jón Marinó Jónsson, violin maker. Stefán Ólafur Ólafsson advised on the electronics and the programming of the lights.

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