Lusine Kirakosyan

LEZU
2024




Duration: 10 Month
Role: Creative Technologist
Tools: Teensy Microcontrolle, Ableton, Touch Designer, Projector
Project: NIME

READ FULL CASE STUDY
Lezu is a sound and visual instrument based on Armenian alphabet. It’s a reimagined alphabet, an instrument, and a platform. It transforms language into melodies and visuals— something you can play, see, and feel.




I edited the video to highlight the interaction between visuals and music. This footage is from the Demo Show, a collaborative performance featuring various artists and instruments.

PROJECT OVERVIEW


This project is an instrument that transforms the 39 letters of the Armenian alphabet into melodies, blending cultural heritage with sound design. It features two parts: one inspired by the Armenian duduk, a traditional wind instrument, and the other by a modern MIDI controller.

Each letter is assigned a natural sound, like whistling or wind, which can be played by blowing into the duduk-inspired section. The MIDI-inspired component allows further interaction, bridging tradition with modern technology. The instrument reflects the significance of the Armenian language, created in 405 CE by Mesrop Mashtots, an Armenian linguist and monk, to preserve a nation's identity. 

By turning the alphabet into music, this project reimagines the language through a new lens, offering a way to keep its memory alive while sharing its unique beauty with the world.

Sound and visual projection on tulle
View from the back


TECHNICAL  FUNCTIONALITY 


This project consists of two parts: a MIDI controller-inspired section and a duduk-inspired section. The MIDI controller part features 12 sliders of which 6 are for vowels and 16 buttons for consonants, each corresponding to Armenian letters and arranged in different rhythms. 

The duduk-inspired section uses 7 tubes, each producing sounds that resemble natural elements like wind or whistling, reflecting the unique qualities of the Armenian alphabet. Both parts are powered by a separate Teensy microcontroller, which connects to the buttons, sliders, and sensors, enabling interaction and sound generation. For the visual component, I used TouchDesigner. Each Armenian letter is synced with its corresponding sound from Ableton Live. When a button, slider, or sensor is triggered, it not only generates a sound but also projects the matching visual representation of the letter in real time, creating a synchronized audio-visual experience.

I projected animated Armenian letters onto eight transparent textiles to create the illusion of floating characters and add visual depth. The transparency allowed the visuals to layer and move through space, enhancing the sense of motion. This setup was designed to give form to the sound, allowing the audience not only to hear the music but to see its presence in real time.


MIDI controller inspired instrument 
MIDI controller inspired instrument, close view to buttons
Duduk-inspired instrument
Duduk-inspired instrument close view

Performance by musician Nick Gregg of his original composition.