Based Upon, renowned for pushing the boundaries of artistic integrity in piano design, unveils its latest innovation, the Twist/D Piano. Positioned as a radical, contemporary instrument, Twist/D represents a culmination of the studio’s profound exploration into pianos, including acclaimed collaborations and the sold-out series, The Baby.
Built from the ground up, Twist/D seamlessly integrates art, functionality, and experiential richness, mirroring the touch, sound, and feel of a world-class grand piano. Synonymous with the artist’s ethos, it marries sculptural form, exquisite materiality, and innovative data gathering in remote landscapes.
Debuted at the prestigious Eye of the Collector exhibition in London last month, Twist/D marks a significant leap forward in piano craftsmanship and immersive user experience. Ian Abell, Co-founder of Based Upon, reflects on their vision: “At Based Upon, we challenge the notion that functionality compromises the purity of artwork. In Twist/D, we’ve not only preserved but enhanced the integrity of the instrument, introducing an immersive element to elevate the user experience. Twist/D is compelling both as an artwork and as a radical, contemporary instrument.”
Co-founder Alex Welch adds, “Our goal was to create a work that blends sculptural beauty with the feel of a world-class piano, enhanced by interactive soundscapes captured during our journey through landscapes. For us, true art comes from stripping a piece back to its essence.”
Twist/D inherits the legacy of Based Upon’s previous piano creations, such as The Baby series, celebrated for its bespoke craftsmanship and integration into prestigious private collections worldwide. Twist/D features a minimalist silhouette inspired by the Golden Spiral and enriched with a distinctive Tramazite surface.
The instrument offers a unique performance tool where players can select, sculpt digitally, and choose environmental settings for their sound. Analog controls, inspired by vintage synthesisers, provide tactile interaction, allowing users to transform the piano into a personalised performance tool. The in-built library of music offers a self-play function, leveraging bespoke dials to their fullest extent.
Moreover, the integration of site-specific sound samples, captured across the Isle of Skye and beyond, enhances the instrument’s versatility. Each setting, meticulously documented by Based Upon, offers an immersive sonic context, redefining the boundaries of piano performance.
At its core, Twist/D’s sound is projected through a bespoke audio system, featuring six individually equalised drivers and a subwoofer. The instrument’s graded hammer weighting, base note counterweights, and hammer release simulation emulate the feel of an acoustic piano, ensuring credibility for the performer.
Prices for the Twist/D Piano start from GBP £150,000, excluding local taxes and shipping, positioning it as a premium choice for discerning collectors and musicians alike.
About Based Upon
Founded in 2004 by brothers Ian and Richard Abell and Alex Welch, Based Upon is renowned for its unyielding commitment to provenance, materiality, and emotional resonance. Their creations transcend conventional labels, described often as ‘priceless’ by clients and collaborators, embodying sculptures, functional forms, and private commissions straight from their studio, workshop, and production facility.
