Dan Ortiz Leizman turns discarded monobloc chairs into string instruments

Dan Ortiz Leizman, an artist and educator, is repurposing discarded plastic monobloc chairs into playable string instruments through their ongoing initiative, MONOBLOC HARPS. This project unexpectedly emerged during a residency at The Cannery in Maine, where Ortiz Leizman explored postwar aesthetics and American nuclear politics. While facing a creative block, they took apart an old ukulele and connected its strings to a monobloc chair, realizing the chair could resonate with the body rather than merely support it. The resulting instruments were showcased at Sound Scene 2026: Distant Mirror, organized by the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Based in Maryland, Ortiz Leizman emphasizes play and human connection in their work, which often elicits emotional responses from audiences. Additionally, they create collages that pair the chairs with vintage National Geographic images and teach students to utilize found materials, advocating for the importance of human-centric art in the era of AI.