Cybraphon.
Inspired by early 19th century mechanical bands such as the nickelodeon, Cybraphon is an interactive version of a mechanical band in a box. Consisting of a series of robotic instruments housed in a large display case, Cybraphon behaves like a real band. Image conscious and emotional, the band’s performance is affected by online community opinion as it searches the web for reviews and comments about itself 24 hours a day.
Cybraphon was built by me, Ziggy Campbell and Tommy Perman and was funded by the Alt-w Production Award administered by New Media Scotland. In November 2009 Cybraphon won a Scottish BAFTA in the Best Interactive category.
We donated Cybraphon to the nation, and it now forms part of the permanent collection of National Museums Scotland. To celebrate the start of the International Festival, Cybraphon took up place in the main hall of the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
