SOUND PEN - SONIC ENGRAVING This idea is based on the original process for cutting records... vibration on a membrane scratching sonic evidence into a receptive surface. I want to create a pen, or dremel tool sized instrument which can translate a live audio signal and/or digital mp3 files into a powerful blade vibration capable of inscribing sound information into metal, wood, stone, and other dense surfaces. As a visual artist, I'm intrigued by the notion of engraving a portrait of someone, or even an abstraction, that would look beautiful under raking light and also house a wealth of sound cues. Gallery visitors could have palm sized reproducers and approach the images, sliding them over the surfaces, and hearing remnants of the music which carved the images. Orchestras could play scores based on the fixed rotation of a platter with a given diameter and thereby inscribe an image, message, or portrait onto the surface of the disc. The image would materialize throughout the course of the concert and be realized when the composition ended.