Angklung Biomimicry Exploration

Nature friendly myths and traditional culture in some parts of Indonesia uses local wisdom for its agricultural activities. Ritual of Angklung (idiophone instrument made of bamboo tubes attached to a frame) playing was used during seeding, maintaining and harvesting of rice plant in order to receive spiritual blessing from Dewi Sri (goddess of fertility). There are patterns and strategies of traditional Angklung in repelling pest and fertilization of rice field. Hollow sections in bamboo tubes act as resonant chambers that produce frequencies which animals and plants respond. Altering the design of the diameter and length of the resonant chambers produces different frequencies. The main aim of this exploration is to design a modular Angklung that the Frequencies of the prototypes can be compared to animal and plant response in rice fields. With modular system, the tubes can be changed and adjusted with precice and repeated experiments. The method used is Additive Manufacturing / 3D printing. It is used not to change but to enhance the local wisdom tradition in explorative design of sustainable product. With this method, characteristics of traditional Angklung design can be maintained while transforming the material and design. The implication is by using natural method to repel pest and enhance growth of plants, we can reduce using chemicals that have harmful impacts on nature, including humans themselves. The main emphasis is sustainability.