toki’s synth series uses yarn to visualize sound in three dimensions

all images courtesy of toki

toki is the name given to an ongoing collaborative effort between artist/architecture duo toluwalase rufai and khai grubbs. their collective works aim to alter the perception of public spaces through establishment of rhythm, movement, transparency, and ephemerality. toki’s latest series, ‘synth’, is the result of an impulsive desire to express the sounds of music in three dimensions.



toluwalase & grubbs use human movement in tandem with the installations to further the idea of movement

primarily using yarn, and occasionally nails and wood, the large installations represent sounds through color and implied movement by form. two pieces have been created thus far, each taking place in the decaying atmosphere of an abandoned washington D.C. building. the various spaces are integral to the design, and are responsible for many decisions throughout the creative process. toki plans to continue the ‘synth’ series in the larger D.C. area.



each installation — two so far — takes place in an abandoned D.C. space



‘synth’ installation



a work typically takes two to three days for the artists to complete



various colored yarns represent the various layers of musical composition



detail of yarn



‘synth’ installation



toki is an informal name for the collaborative work between toluwalase and grubbs



the duo has plans to create more works in the ‘synth’ series throughout D.C.



detail of layered strands



‘synth’

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: nick brink | designboom