Odd harmonics: Francois Chambard has revived the Theremin with his bold designs [Resources]

in the 1920s, Leon Theremin played to packed concert halls in Europe and the United States, wowing audiences with his newly invented electronic musical instrument, the aetherphone. Rebranded as the Theremin, the gesture-controlled device was available for sale in the United States by the end of the decade. the theremin never completely went away as an instrument, and it occasionally even finds its way into popular music hits. Now it's having a revival of a different kind - as an art object. This past October and November, the Judith Charles Gallery, in New York City, hosted an exhibition titled Odd Harmonics. Along with scheduled musical performances, an original Theremin aetherphone, and other artwork, the exhibition focused on a series of theremins constructed by François Chambard. Ranging in price from US $6000 - $20,000, Chambard's theremins are whimsical and colorful constructions of wood and metal. The simple antennas of the typical theremin have been replaced with a still-functional assortment of grilles, funnels, sheets, and combs. Each antenna acts as one plate of a variable capacitor, with the player's body forming the other plate. These antennas give each Theremin a different feel when played. The basic sound production system is briefly described.