Meet the Makers: Yaybahar Instrument Creator
In this Meet the Makers blog series, we will feature an artist that, quite simply, makes something. Drawing inspiration from custom works handcrafted in various media, we travel beyond the pieces by diving into the minds of the creative makers themselves.
Today, we feature our interview with Gorkem Sen, the inventor and designer of the Yaybahar, an acoustic instrument. Sen, a native of Turkey, utilizes different sizes and shaped elements to craft large forms of bahar-like instruments that often sound like synthesizers.
GPI Design: What (3) words best describe your work?
Gorkem Sen: Inner – Space – Ship
GPI: What compels you to create with this particular medium?
Sen: I have an “ I can make too” attitude that helps keep me motivated. I am always searching for different points of view to keep my intentions unique and new.
GPI: What is your biggest constraint in the creative process?
Sen: When working alone, sometimes it is hard to find the perfect material, dimension, amount, shape, proportion, design and engineering, and may take a while for it to become perfect.
Yaybahar by Görkem Şen from Olgu Demir on Vimeo
GPI: What would your 5 year old former self say about your work now? And what do you hope your future 90 year old self will say about your current work?
Sen: My 5 year old self would say, “This idea has an open source of infinitive possibilities for making new things and maybe I can finish it perfectly as a real instrument.” My 90 year old self would say, “still, we can try new possibilities.”
GPI: What other maker would you most like to collaborate with?
Sen: Cosmos
GPI: What do you think the future of creation/creativity holds (for you, and the artistic world as a whole)?
Sen: Making Orchestra with all ‘’bahar’’ idea instruments. People can experience listening, playing and writing music with new design acoustic instruments. Yaybahar ideas can be joined in all music genres. It gives music more mystical feeling and it can be a new layer on music in the future.
GPI: What does your work space look like right now? Send us a selfie of you in your creative arena!
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Many thanks to Gorkem Sen for the insight into his craft. Stay tuned to our next Meet the Makers interview coming up in two weeks! The interviews will publish every other Tuesday throughout the remainder of the year, focusing on a wide variety of makers, which has us truly redefining what it means to create.