ODD HARMONICS

The Art of the Theremin at
Judith Charles Gallery Retrofret’s fully restored 1938 Leon Theremin made “Soloist Custom” is part of this month long art show and performance series through November 16, 2013.

A collaborative exhibition with Butterscotch Records, Moog Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Work by François Chambard, Cassandra C. Jones, Tomory Dodge and Leon Theremin.

Odd Harmonic Fellow: Retrofret owner, Steve Uhrik, prepares to walk the Theremin Gauntlet.

photography © Joseph Peknik III

Originally known as the Etherphone, Thereminophone or Thereminvox this early electronic musical instrument is controlled without any physical contact by the player. It is named after the westernized name of its Russian inventor, Léon Theremin, who patented the device in 1928. The instrument’s controlling section usually consists of two metal antennas which interact with the proximity of the thereminist’s hands varying capacitance to control oscillators for frequency with one hand, and amplitude (volume) with the other. The electric signals from the Theremin are amplified and sent to a loudspeaker.

Celebrated designer and builder François Chambard has crafted twelve custom Theremins that are at once sculptures, instruments and design objects. The pieces are constructed around the electronics of the iconic Moog Etherewave Theremin.