The Y-17 Synthesizer; blending Nostalgia with Futurism

The Y-17; Love Hultén’s latest work of functional art is soon to be displayed at one of the biggest electronic arts festivals in the world. Love Hultén is a Swedish artist whose work combines elements of sound and unique visuals. The digital cultural festival Sónar+D in Barcelona is home to the debut of the Y-17 project.

The Y-17 is an unconventional synthesizer with a ferrofluid visualizer. Its striking yellow appearance and irregular form are sure to attract attention. The synthesizer encasing is comprised of wood and features Hultén’s signature computer key-style buttons for the keys.

Hultén will be showcasing previous works such as the Sebastian, a MIDI device featuring an articulating crab, and Tegel, a device that is capable of transmitting biodata for material into audio.

The Y-17 was designed to combine elements of nostalgia, referencing vintage toys while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic. The unit is a mono synthesizer with a looper built-in and an adjoining 17-note keyboard. The ferrofluid audio visualizer uses nanoscale ferrimagnetic particles in a colloidal liquid to react to magnetic impulses triggered by the keys. Hultén incorporated an electromagnet with the audio inputs to create an eye-catching visual effect.

In an interview with Designboom, Love Hultén stated his design choices are “taking steps in different directions simultaneously by using fragments from both past and today,’ 

Like much of the tech industry right now, The Sónar+D festival will be highlighting several Artificial intelligence projects. Hultén carefully notes why his art still provides value in the digital age.

“The instant feedback we get when interacting with something physical connects all the right dots in ways a digital interface never could”

In an era of design where minimalism and streamlined product offerings are king; Hultén offers a curveball to the conversation. While the Y-17 is not a widely available commercial product, its design serves as a reminder that synthesizers can still be playful in a world that is becoming increasingly serious.

For more information on this year’s Sónar+D festival, click here.