Mulvane Art Museum became a spectator to innovative instruments made from recycled material. An artist and musician hailing from New York presented his exceptional collection called the “hybrid instruments” at the museum. Ken Butler amused kids and their parents with mostly stringed instruments made of recycled things. The creative minded Butler, who was not only interested in painting and drawing, but in collage and assemblage too, took assemblage as his inspiration to create his instrument collection.
Butler’s hybrid instruments are made from things like hockey sticks, combs, hair clips and an umbrella. Most of his creations are stringed and he uses a contact mic to amplify their sound. The umbrella performance that left everyone enthralled was a blend of music and visual art. Butler very intelligently used each and every part of the umbrella to produce sound. The sliding sound of the umbrella opening was also included as the handle also had strings attached to it.
Butler’s performance and display encouraged little children to such an extent that they made their own musical instruments using items like paper plates, paper towel tubes, rice, waxed paper, rubber bands and tissue paper. Four-year-old Makenna Lunsford made a kazoo using pipe cleaners, tissue paper and feathers. Another kid named Hannah Bronaugh made a shaker of waxed paper, rubber bands, a paper towel tube and rice. If you too wish to see Butler’s ingenious work, then you can visit the Wasburn University museum, where it is on display.
Via: Cjonline