The Glass Cymbal Project: Creating "The Edge Of Every Thing"

A materials engineer, an experimental composer, a glass fabricator, and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Discover what happens when three brilliant and singular practitioners collaborate to create a once-in-a-lifetime musical experience, “The Edge of Every Thing”. See and hear the complete piece composed for a trio of glass cymbals and a single shattering performance.


See also our pages for Zoe Laughlin and Tod Machover.

The Glass Cymbal Project in Confluence


Beginning the glass cymbal

with Tod Machover, composer & inventor
Zoe Laughlin, materials engineer

Exploring the cymbal store

with Tod Machover, composer & inventor
Zoe Laughlin, materials engineer

Zoe and Tod smash glass

with Tod Machover, composer & inventor
Zoe Laughlin, materials engineer

Brainstorming and glass printing

with Tod Machover, composer & inventor
Zoe Laughlin, materials engineer
Michael Stern, glass fabricator

Testing the first glass cymbals

with Tod Machover, composer & inventor
Zoe Laughlin, materials engineer
Michael Stern, glass fabricator

Printing the glass cymbals

with Tod Machover, composer & inventor
Zoe Laughlin, materials engineer
Michael Stern, glass fabricator

The final cymbals

with Tod Machover, composer & inventor
Zoe Laughlin, materials engineer

My back pocket idea

with Zoe Laughlin, materials engineer

Damage is a part of materiality

with Tod Machover, composer & inventor
Zoe Laughlin, materials engineer

Destructive testing and art

with Tod Machover, composer & inventor
Zoe Laughlin, materials engineer
Michael Stern, glass fabricator

Instruments are magical

with Tod Machover, composer & inventor
Zoe Laughlin, materials engineer
Michael Stern, glass fabricator

Making things is breaking things

with Tod Machover, composer & inventor
Zoe Laughlin, materials engineer
Michael Stern, glass fabricator

Our attachment to the cymbals

with Tod Machover, composer & inventor
Zoe Laughlin, materials engineer
Michael Stern, glass fabricator

Our voices came together

with Tod Machover, composer & inventor
Zoe Laughlin, materials engineer
Michael Stern, glass fabricator