Car Keys: Where art meets math and science

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February 23, 2019

AC Automotive's entry in this year's Art Fair Philippines reflects Filipino creativity and artistry. Present during the Collectors Preview on February 21, from left: Felipe Estrella III, President of Volkswagen Philippines; Nona Ong, President of Honda and Isuzu Ayala-owned dealership network; Trickie Lopa and Lisa Periquet, organizers of Art Fair Philippines; Ian Carlo Jaucian, Filipino modern artist commissioned by AC Automotive; Art Tan, Group President and CEO of AC Industrials; Manny Aligada, President of Kia Philippines; and, Dino Santos, President of KTM Philippines.

When one metions the words visual art, it often depicts an image of a painting or something of the sort. Nothing more, nothing less. Yet did you know that today’s modern visual art is a lot more complex than just a painting on a wall. It actually involves bit of math and science.

Yes, this is what the modern art piece entitled Car Keys conveys. Created by Filipino visual artist Ian Carlo Jaucian, the piece is the entry of Ayala Coporation’s automotive arm, AC Automotive, at this year’s Art Fair Philippines 2019.

Taking its cue from the classic gramophone, Jaucian’s piece utilizes the modern vehicle’s proximity sensor keyfob to measure topographical differences on the outer surface of the spinning rim. A microcomputer then measures these values as ASCII numbers, which are connected to a keyboard of a computer. Each keypress can then be converted into musical sounds.

Sound complex? In a nutshell, Car Keys uses mathematics and technology to bring out human emotions as manifested by the musical notes of each keypress. It shows that even seemingly cold and lifeless automotive components can become alive and filled with passion.

Gert to see Car Keys and other art pieces at Art Fair Philippines 2019 this weekend at The Link in Makati City.

For 2019 edition, AC Automotive highlights unique retooling of the gramophone concept, which repurposes the car wheel into an amalgamation of visual and musical symmetry bridging the gap between harmonious visual design and cyclic music through the language of numbers.

2.3 "Car Keys," uses an infrared proximity sensor to measure topographical differences on the outer surface of the rim as it is spun. The measured values are processed by a microcontroller unit programmed to map the data into ASCII numbers then used to override the keyboard of a connected computer. From there, keypresses are interpreted into digital music.

About the Author

Mr. Gerard Jude Castillo
Gerard has been a self-confessed car nut ever since he was a little boy. As a grown-up, he indulges in his passion by collecting toy cars (which he started since childhood) and reading up on the latest cars out there.  As Associate Editor, he will ensure that you get your fill of the latest cars in the market, as well as a load of automotive features.