Artist Yuri Suzuki has introduced UTOOTO, an innovative sonic interactive installation that invites viewers to collectively construct the artwork using modular sound components on-site. The groundbreaking installation is currently on display at Camden Arts Projects in London from August 7th through October 5th, 2025, following previous exhibitions at Design Saint Etienne and as part of a show titled "Echoes of Nature."
The installation consists of interconnected sections featuring white pipes that form an extensive network supporting colorful horns positioned at varying heights throughout the space. The horns are strategically oriented in multiple directions – some facing upward, others downward, and many positioned sideways – creating a complex three-dimensional sound system. All pipes are connected using specially designed connector pieces that allow the installation to branch out in numerous directions while maintaining structural integrity.
UTOOTO employs a modular system that enables the structure to be assembled, disassembled, and reconfigured according to the specific requirements of any given space. Visitors are provided with a complete set of pipes, horns, and user-friendly tools that allow them to actively reconfigure the pavilion-like structure. By creating and modifying the pathways between horns, participants directly influence how sounds travel and echo throughout the installation, fundamentally altering the acoustic experience.
Suzuki, who is renowned for incorporating vibrant and interactive horn elements into his artistic practice, describes the artwork as "an acoustic device that underlines collective play through viewer participation." The installation's vertical design creates a tower-like structure that fills much of the exhibition hall, with horns positioned at different elevations to accommodate people of all ages and heights. Some horns are placed near ground level for easy access, while others are positioned high above, requiring sound to travel vertically through the interconnected system.
The technical construction utilizes durable materials including rigid PVC for the molded horns and pipes, with connectors engineered to hold components firmly while still allowing for easy disassembly for transport or reconfiguration. Visitors can speak into any horn within the network and listen to sounds emanating from other horns throughout the installation, creating an immersive and collaborative sonic environment.
The conceptual framework behind UTOOTO draws inspiration from multiple sources, according to Suzuki. The name itself evokes both the dreamy state of dozing off and references the sacred Okinawan phrase "utouto," which is traditionally used in prayer. The installation's design philosophy is rooted in utopian architectural visions, particularly drawing influence from Walt Disney's original ambitious plan for EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow).
In keeping with this utopian spirit, UTOOTO transforms visitors from passive observers into active co-creators of temporary sound art. The collaborative nature of the installation means that each visitor's interaction fundamentally changes the experience for all subsequent participants, creating an ever-evolving sonic landscape within Camden Arts Projects. Through this participatory approach, Suzuki has created not just an art installation, but a living example of collective creativity and shared sonic architecture.
