Digital simulations of analog processes don't always go as planned. In fact, some attempts at creating such simulations could be described as akin to trying to play a piano with a boulder. (Although, John Cage might still approve.)

 

The cabinet portion of this work was constructed with a combination of parts from a piano manufactured in the 1930's, as well as newly fabricated components. It houses a computer which runs a physics-based simulation that is triggered when a viewer presses a piano key. As the simulation runs, a boulder smashes a virtual piano. Due to programming parameters, the virtual piano is never destroyed the same way twice.

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2012. Custom fabricated arcade cabinet, piano parts, and interactive digitally simulated environment.

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2025. A version 2.0 for the digital simulation has been created using Unreal 5 and MIDI controllers have been added to the piano keys.