VOICE GEMS
Reeps100
VOICE GEMS
Voice Gems is an unprecedented digital gemstone archive and physical installation generated from a collection of some of the most precious, extraordinary and critically endangered voices on Earth. This meditation has resulted in unique and vibrant gemstones that represent and honor vocal expression past and present. Voice Gems strives to become one of the largest vocal archives in the world, making tangible the possible future of vocal expression in connection with technology.
Voice Gems uses technology to highlight and celebrate our humanity. When a Voice Gem has been synthesized, the pieces can be displayed as digital video, high resolution stills, large scale projection, NFTs, and 3D sculpture public art installations. Every voice is unique, and with that comes unique fingerprint-like meta-data that can be used for bespoke and human centered generative design.
At the helm of this mesmerizing collection is new media pioneer and vocal artist Harry Yeff, also known as Reeps100, and Trung Bao. Their work is rooted in the idea that the future of design is generative, and that the most valuable works allow us to observe and pull focus on our most human fundamentals. The purpose of using a data-driven generative system is to bring insight, and inspire awe in what is often undervalued or selectively ignored: the use of voice is one of the most complex and stunning acts in all of nature.
“Traditions like the engagement ring are open to innovation. No system is perfect, but if we continue to mine the earth’s physical resources, I would like to simply introduce innovative and provocative alternatives using technology.”
The Voice Gems system is the culmination of 10 years of research, development, and lifelong collaborations with the world's leading voice artists, academics, technologists, engineers and technicians, leading Harry to recognize that the voice is mankind’s most precious tool and one of nature's greatest achievements: it is the purest form of self-expression predating language. His ongoing work presents to us a system that requires the “gifting” of voice data in the form of a recording and a visually stunning archive, inspiring dialogues about value and humanity using new media and technology.
Fast Company feature — “Forget engagement rings: Turn your voice into a one-of-a-kind gemstone”
LILY COLE
Activist and Actress
SOUGWEN CHUNG X DOUG AI
AI and Robotics Artist
JESSE DAMIANI
Emerging Technology Journalist at Forbes
INDRI INDRI: Critically endangered species.
'UNKNOWN INTERNET GEMSTONES 10/10': Created from 100 anonymous voices captured online.
'UNKNOWN INTERNET GEMSTONES 10/10': Created from 100 anonymous voices captured online.
HERBERT W FRANKE: Herbert W. Franke (born 14 May 1927 in Vienna) is an Austrian scientist and writer. Die Zeit calls him "the
most prominent German writing Science Fiction author". He is also one of the important early computer artists (and
collectors), creating computer graphics and early digital art since the late 1950s.
'UNKNOWN INTERNET GEMSTONES 10/10': Created from 100 anonymous voices captured online.
KLAUS SCHWEB: Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum.
FELIPE PANTONE: Contemporary artist and designer.
ABOUT REEPS100
London native Harry Yeff’s (AKA Reeps100) expertise in vocal musicianship and performance has generated an online global following, with more than 100 million views and recognition as a pioneer in a new wave of vocal experimentation.
Yeff is celebrated as one of the most respected and accomplished beatboxers to ever enter the arena. He continues to build on a world-class skillset, specializing in voice and tech-based performance. His role as an ambassador for art, technology and voice is highlighted by an impressive global lecture portfolio with notable talks at Google Exec, Davos (World Economic Forum), United Nations, SXSW, Art Basel Hong Kong, and more.
During his time in New York and Boston he transcended sound and music with a number of artistic- and research-based residencies. In 2019 Yeff completed his third artist residency at Harvard University, guest lecturing with the phonetic and music departments. He is currently part of the Experiments in Art and Technology Program at Bell Labs and a trusted contributor and speaker with the World Economic Forum’s Cultural Leader Program.
Yeff produces work spanning disciplines, contexts and media in response to an ongoing investigation into the evolution of the human voice, art and science. His work closely examines the junction of visual and audio cultures, transforming vocal music into visible, physical form through performance, installation, sculpture, photography and film—as well as curatorial, directorial and academic projects. He is one of the most decorated and progressive lateral thinkers in the world of voice and technology.
