TONEr by Alex Barr

Traditional masculinity has a habit of manifesting itself in toxic behavior which ultimately ends in isolation, violence, suppressing emotion, and maintaining an appearance of ‘hardened individuality’. As male identifying designers, Andres Flores and I wanted to challenge the role of toxic masculinity through media archaeology, art, performance, and technology.

The TONEr prototype provides a counter-narrative to toxic masculinity --  turning it into an object that embodies unity, creativity, vulnerability, trust, and play. Made from an old chest expander, the TONEr is fabricated with an Arduino UNO, a rubber stretch sensor, a speaker housed in two 3d printed cases around the chest expander handle. As the TONEr begins to stretch, a humming tone is played through the speaker that is responsive to the tension of the ropes. The tighter you pull, the higher the tone goes. 

The TONEr can be used in a variety of functions: Make music and work out at the same time! Start a yoga TONEr orchestra! Perform with a friend! Play the building! If you can connect it, you can play it. 

By hacking an object heavily associated with ‘strength’ and individuality, the TONEr allows folks the freedom to explore and ask, how can technology help bring us closer together? What is our technology doing to help redefine gender and the role of our bodies?