The short film Studio Visit with Professor Amit Zoran is available to watch at the top of the page.
Step into the captivating world of designer and researcher Professor Amit Zoran, where structures are dismantled and reconstructed to create profound meaning. The hybrid laboratory he established at The School of Computer Science & Engineering, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, serves as a haven for experimentation and sparks childlike curiosity in all who enter. Here, digital technology and design students collaborate with Professor Zoran, pushing the boundaries of traditional crafts by seamlessly blending them with cutting-edge technology across various domains, from product design to cooking and music.
Professor Zoran’s pioneering work delves into the realm of hybrids, exploring the convergence of technology and craft. He seeks to bridge the gap between these seemingly disparate worlds, inviting a fresh perspective that redefines their polarities. At the Hebrew University, where he holds a Senior Lecturer position in the School of Engineering and Computer Science, his research lab delves into the integration of craft, design, and technology, nurturing innovation and ingenuity.
One remarkable collaboration creation that exemplifies Professor Zoran’s inventive approach is The Chameleon Guitar. This groundbreaking project introduces a novel design and fabrication method for instruments that seamlessly blend the advantages of acoustic and electric properties. This hybrid instrument exists simultaneously in physical and digital environments, harnessing the acoustic qualities of traditional wooden soundboards alongside the flexibility of digital processing. By leveraging replaceable physical objects and digital signal manipulation, The Chameleon Guitar showcases the potential for maintaining the unique spectral and spatial behavior of real acoustic instruments while embracing the possibilities offered by digital technology.
In the collaborative project, Digital Joinery For Hybrid Carpentry, Professor Zoran explores the connections between wooden pieces to construct multipart structures. Departing from the constraints of traditional woodworking, which rely on manual chisel skills or limited machine capabilities, this endeavor introduces an interactive design process. Digital generation of joints enables unrestricted beam connectors, surpassing the limitations of traditional techniques. Leveraging selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printing and Nylon-12 material, the project’s Generative Joinery Design Tool produces intricate joint designs showcased through a selection of stools. This innovative approach exemplifies the potential of Digital Joinery to elevate carpentry, integrating hybrid and interactive design sophistication that surpasses traditional skills and tools.
Drawing with Light and Cracks is another collaborative project that embraces the fusion of craft and technology. Professor Zoran and his team utilize the captivating crackle pattern found in pottery to produce craft-unique outcomes. Employing a dedicated CAD tool and laser machinery, they embed artificial decorations within the crackle pattern. By skillfully manipulating clay preparation and glaze post-processing, they achieve partial control over the size and distribution of cracks, embedding captivating visual forms in the glaze. This project showcases the fusion of craft and algorithmic design, pushing the boundaries of creative expression.
Through the attached videos, Professor Zoran provides intriguing insights into his transformative approach, sharing how he harnesses the advantages of craft and algorithms to pioneer groundbreaking projects. Join us on this extraordinary journey as we witness the convergence of tradition and innovation in the hands of a visionary artist and researcher.
The featured video Studio Visit with Professor Amit Zoran is part of the web series Yotsrim by Shachaf Dekel. Yotsrim includes five seasons and 73 episodes. The series won the Best Documentary award at the NYC Web Fest in 2019.
