Why We decided to turn Voice into Gemstones? | Trung Bảo, CoFounder Fustic.Studio

Key Concepts

• Vocal Experimentalism: The exploration of the human voice as a primal instrument and tool that predates language.
• Generative Art: Art created through the use of autonomous systems, specifically algorithms that transform data into visual forms.
• Cymatics: The study of visible sound and vibration, often used to visualize the physical properties of audio.
• Human-Centric Technology: The philosophy of using emerging tech to enhance, preserve, and celebrate human experiences rather than replacing them.
• Voice Jams: A collaborative project that converts the unique metadata of a human voice into a "visual DNA" gemstone composed of 200,000 particles.

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1. The Philosophy of the Human Voice

Chumbao, a multidisciplinary artist from Hanoi, posits that the human voice is humanity’s first tool and instrument. Despite its fundamental role in human existence, he argues that many people lack the focus or courage to express their voices to their full capacity. His work centers on the "tension and release" of the voice, encouraging individuals to reconnect with this primal aspect of their identity.

2. Bridging Traditions and Generations

Chumbao emphasizes the role of art in breaking down barriers of age, class, and ethnicity.

• Cross-Cultural Collaboration: He highlights his work with French-Vietnamese jazz guitarist Wu Le, blending traditional Vietnamese music with contemporary styles.
• Intergenerational Dialogue: In 2024, he performed at the Hanoi Opera House, facilitating a "rhythmic conversation" between traditional percussionists and contemporary artists to demonstrate how different generations can communicate through music.

3. Technology as a Medium for Connection

In 2017, Chumbao co-founded Physics Studio, a hub for experimental visual communication. The studio focuses on using technology not for the sake of speed or acceleration, but as a medium to reach broader audiences.

• Key Achievement: The studio launched Vietnam’s first classical music concert integrating real-time generative visual technology and opened the United Nations "AI for Good" global summit in Geneva.

4. The Voice Jams Project: Methodology and Application

Developed with new media artist Harry Jeff (Ree 100), the Voice Jams project explores the relationship between image and sound.

• The Process: The system captures unique metadata from a voice recording and processes it into a digital "gemstone" consisting of 200,000 particles. This serves as a permanent, visual "DNA" of that specific voice.
• Real-World Applications:
  • Personal Legacy: Replacing traditional diamond engagement rings with sculptures generated from a couple’s shared laughter.
  • Memory Preservation: Capturing the voices of individuals, such as football legend Jeff Hurst, to preserve memories for those affected by conditions like Alzheimer’s.
  • Global Archives: The "10,000-Year Archive" exhibition, commissioned by the World Economic Forum, features influential figures like Dr. Jane Goodall and Herbert W. Franke, preserving messages of hope, death, and legacy for future generations.

5. Addressing the Fear of Technology

Chumbao addresses the common anxiety that technology will replace human tradition and spirituality. He argues that this "invisible division" is unnecessary. By maintaining a human-centric goal, technology can act as an extension of the artist, turning potential division into empathy and understanding.

Notable Quotes

• "Voice is man's first ever tool. It's our first ever instrument and it's actually predated the human languages."
• "Voice is like smoke. It's always present but it's very hard to grasp."
• "I do believe if we do it right, we can bring people closer together with more accessibility and we can turn division into understanding and empathy."

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Synthesis

The core takeaway from Chumbao’s work is the reconciliation of the primal with the digital. By treating the human voice as a unique, data-rich asset, he demonstrates that technology can be used to "grasp the smoke"—making the ephemeral nature of human speech tangible and permanent. His projects serve as a bridge, proving that innovation, when rooted in human experience, does not threaten tradition but rather provides new, profound ways to archive and celebrate the human condition.