Ayumi Tsuchiya's interactive wooden sculptures invite touch, play, and sound

Japanese artist Ayumi Tsuchiya creates handcrafted wooden sculptures that function as furniture, musical instruments, and playgrounds. Her works—including musical seesaws, carved bowls, and flower-shaped chairs—are designed for physical interaction. Tsuchiya notes that children instinctively climb, rock, and listen to her pieces, while adults seek instructions first. She builds every piece herself, from sketch to fabrication, using gravity, balance, gears, and timber rather than digital technology. Works like 'Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Si-So' and 'Doremi-fa Sofa' produce melodies through movement. Tsuchiya, who says she cannot play instruments, creates accessible musical experiences. Her practice emphasizes tactile engagement over visual contemplation, aiming to reconnect adults with childlike curiosity.