Not a jukebox is an interactive sound installation designed to be attached directly to urban fixtures such as street lamps and railings. Built with an eye-catching bright orange casing, it features dual side-firing speakers, a volume knob, and a single illuminated push button.

The unit is powered by a high-output USB-C Power Delivery battery bank, driving an internal audio amplifier, a microcontroller, and an SD card loaded with a curated library of audio tracks.

While idle, the central button gently pulses with a white light to catch the attention of passersby. Pressing it immediately starts a random track from the SD card. However, playback requires physical commitment: sound only plays while the button is held down. The moment the button is released, the audio cuts off instantly, and pressing it again triggers an entirely new track.

Field Notes
Tested in public spaces, the installation turned listening into an ephemeral, shared act. Passersby often hesitated before stepping forward, while others took turns holding down the button or reacted when someone unexpectedly let go during a favorite track.