(photo by Ranjit, from Instrument A Day 2012)

February in NYC can be particularly brutal when it comes to weather. So staying indoors, becoming a maker-hermit of sorts, and working on as many projects as possible is typical of many artists and makers in the city of five boroughs. For the fifth year in a row, Brooklyn-based Ranjit Bhatnagar has committed to making an Instrument A Day every day in February – itself a shorter month than most, we’re still talking about 29 novel musical instruments being made this year!

In order to label them true “day” projects, he spends little time planning ahead, so they’re conceived, designed, and built all in the same day. Projects this year have included everything from electronic doorbells and Fluxus-inspired noise-making objects, to 3D-printed parts and pieces, to variations on previous projects like the JelTone and 8-bit violin. Two of my favorites, made near the finish line, include his musical remote controls and optical siren (videos below).

See all his videos from this series here. And if you happen to be in town next Wednesday, Ranjit will be speaking about his Instrument a Day series at Dorkbot in SoHo.