“Ontenna” is an user interface that you to experience the characteristics of sound through vibration and light.
xDiversity holds various workshops using Ontenna.
Ontenna×AI WORKSHOP
Subtitles: Japanese only
Ontenna Online Programming Workshop
The Future Exhibitions Feeling The Sounds
The Miraikan (Japan’s National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation) is a place to collectively consider and discuss the role of cutting-edge science and technology in society. This time, in collaboration with xDiversity, the Miraikan conducted a workshop where participants experienced the museum’s exhibits using ‘Ontenna,’ a device that converts sound into light and vibration.
Ontenna×Teshima Art Workshop
Ontenna is a device that can be worn on hair strands, earlobes, collars, or sleeves, allowing the user to physically feel the characteristics of sound through vibration and light. As of August 2021, it has been introduced to more than 80% of schools affiliated with the National Association of Schools for the Deaf in Japan, and is being used for speech and rhythm training. In December 2020, a feature was developed that allows users to freely program the color of Ontenna’s light and the strength of its vibration based on any sound pressure or frequency. This was made available to schools and educational institutions at no cost. Using this programming feature, in July 2021, in collaboration with students from Teshima Junior High School in Tonosho Town and Kagawa Prefectural School for the Deaf, an art workshop was held targeting Christian Boltanski’s artwork ‘Archive of Heart Sounds’ located in Teshima, Kagawa Prefecture, where participants experienced heartbeats through Ontenna.
Feeling Neutrinos in Your Body
Cosmic rays are messages from the stars. Through various technologies, by observing and decoding cosmic rays, the life cycle of stars, the state of the universe at its birth, and the origin of the matter that makes us up have gradually become clear. This time, through a collaboration between Ontenna, the Hida Space Science Museum Kamioka Lab, and the University of Tokyo Institute for Cosmic Ray Research , participants will deepen their understanding and interest in basic research and cosmic and particle studies by experiencing cutting-edge research while ‘feeling’ and ‘expressing’ cosmic rays.
Ontenna x Handbell WORKSHOP with “Mirai Earth School Project”
Imagine if you could enjoy music without hearing it. If you could perceive music through sight and touch, would that bring new dimensions to the experience? In March 2022, the Tamagawa Academy Handbell Choir held a performance for students at a school for the deaf.
Miraikan × Katsushika School for the Deaf: Making Museum Experiences Accessible and Delightful for the Deaf
Do you think museum are where people enjoy only by “viewing” exhibits?
Actually, listening is also a crucial part of the experience.
The deaf and hard of hearing face many challenges at museums, because they cannot fully experience exhibits with sounds, they find it hard to understand the audio guide, and they often find it difficult to ask questions.
Due to their hardness of hearing, they might have missed chances to discover “unknown worlds”.
Can we create more engaging museum experiences without relying o hearing?
It was the day of the school trip for students from the Katsushika School for the Deaf. They visited Miraikan. For that day, Ms. Sugawara, a deaf teacher at the school, collaborated with Miraikan and planned more accessible and interactive museum experiences for the students.
