We use the characters in our daily life. And these visual characters have various, context-dependent meanings. In the Japanese system of hiragana, “あ” [ah] is the most flexible character.
Despite its simple sound, different inflections can express various human emotions: joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure. As such, the character of “あ” [ah] must reflect the emotional nuances of its use in the highly context-dependent culture of Japan. People often use this character without realizing its various expressions.
To make them know this amazing feature, we proposed an object whose visual shape is the character “あ” [ah]. When people play with the object striking, bending, or rubbing, the various sounds of “あ” [ah] are expressed.
Through the communicative possibilities of “あ” [ah], we can learn to appreciate the nuanced relationship between a character and its meaning.
Business in charge
コンセプト、ハードウェアデザイン、インタラクションデザイン
Awards
– IVRC2012 出展
– 第18回 学生CGコンテスト 審査員特別賞
– 2012アジアデジタルアート大賞展 優秀賞
Media
– 「あ」の形をした物体 – SENSORS
– JAPANESE GIRL FUJIKKO REACT TO WEIRD TECHNOLOGY 「あ(Ah)」
– 這個教具有點A!互動字母捏一下就呻吟 日網友:跪求女生版 @ ETToday
– World’s first moaning hiragana character either a stroke of genius or just plain weird @ Soranews24
– 「あ」アート、触ると「あぁ」「あ゛」「あ!」制作者の日本語愛 @ withnews
– 世界初! 日本語の「あえぐひらがな」がユニークで面白い!【タイ人の反応】
Exhibition
– IVRC2012@日本科学未来館
– アジアデジタルアート大賞展@福岡アジア美術館
– SENSORS IGNITION@虎ノ門ヒルズ
– 魔法の美術館@熊本市現代美術館
– 魔法の美術館@大分県立美術館(OPAM)
– コンテンツ東京2018
Collaborators
Original members: Yuki ANAI, Kenta WATASHIMA, Shunki HASEGAWA, Gen KAWAGUCHI, Kentaro TETSUKA, Chang YEONI