PHYS341/2023/Project2

Introduction

Bungeo-ppang Wind Chime

Bunggeo-pang Wind Chime is a part of the Artist-made merchandise project, created and designed by the members of the Korean Boy Band BTS. RM, the group leader, is the member responsible for the creation and creative concept behind this unique wind chime.

RM's fondness for wind chimes inspired the project. He wishes to bring the therapeutic and soothing sound closer to the desolate houses and apartments.

Historical Background

Bunggeo-pang (붕어빵), directly translated as "carp bread," is a Korean fish-shaped pastry often served as a snack or dessert. RM chose to input this personal touch of a favorite of his, having the wind plate takes the shape of a smiling bigger-pang.

The smart word play intrigues a lot of fans as Bunggeo-pang itself also sounds similar to fish wind chime (punggyeong: 풍경) and scenery (풍경: pung-gyeong), which resonates with the creative concept and historical input of the piece.

Fish wind chime has a long history in Korea and can often be found in the eaves of temples and Buddhist hall pagodas. The fish's symbolic meaning comes down to these three core values:

1. Freedom and Obstruction: The fish represents tranquility and unrestricted freedom— just like the nature of the wind
2. Overlooking the temples, inspiring the monks to stay diligent and cultivate themselves, even in their dream
3. Dispelling evil spirits and negative energy.

Product Brainstorm and Design

RM's Artist Log "What product do you want to make"

"The desolated house and apartment in the city…

Everyone must have visited a quiet temple at least once, sat still, and listened to a wind chime.

I can't bring nature. But it would be nice if I could get some sound."

- Translated by [안구정화티비 Your Korean Friend Angoo] on Youtube

Bungeo-ppang Wind Chime spectra

The concept design, shared by RM, looks for an option to bring the sound of nature closer to the urban home. In the "Making-of Log" video, he acknowledges that not every residential premise has balconies. Therefore seek a solution where the wind chime could pick up sounds from even the lightest breeze. This, in his case, will opt to solve the issue of practicality and accessibility of a wind chime.

Wind Chime's Physics of Sound

The sound of the wind chime comes from the motion of the wind plate when it comes into contact with the wind. The motion wave travels through the wire that connects the plate and the clapper, sways the triangular clapper that then comes into contact with the interior of the chime.

Unlike the carillon, often known for its classic bell-shaped, which enhances the timbre of the bell with an increasing diameter from top to bottom— the bee skep employed in this model is incompatible with producing a steady pitch. Chimes also carry inharmonic spectra.

Construction and Design

RM's Bunggeo-ppang Wind Chime detail measurement

The wind chime is a classic Korean Fish-shaped Wind chime design.

Some of the notable structure includes:

• A big O-ring hanger
• A bee skep-shape chime
  • This can be seen as a replacement for wind chime tubes in the tubular wind chim
• The dome-like/tripod-shaped clapper hangs inside the bell, with circular bells at the ends of each leg, connected by a suspension cord in the middle.
• The fish-shaped wind plate (or sails) is the unique part that dangles in the bell's opening. The wind plate dangles down from a cord that allows the clapper to hit off the bell's interior when it comes into contact with the wind.

Product Material

Component	Material
Wine chime	Steel
Wire	Brass
Fish plate, triangle bells	Zinc alloy

Product Size (cm) - 8.2 x 23.8

Traditionally, wind chime is made out of bronze for its resonant qualities. This material also helps the resonance vibrate longer, improving sound quality. But considering the modification of wind chimes in the urban home, steel as a solid material and durability will prevent the surface from wearing out from being repeatedly struck by the clapper.

The tripod-shaped clapper, with small circular bells attached to each bell, expands the surface area's reach under the dome of the chime. In short, it allows higher density which, in turn, fuels more collisions with the clappers that produce

Both fish plate and triangle balls were made of zinc alloy, a lightweight material and versatile material, to easily pick up the sound of the wind of even motion of doors.