LAWN JOBS \ FLATLAND \ CIVIL TWILIGHT \ IMPOSSIBLE NEUTRAL \ FRACTURE UTOPIA \
STACK AND SPRAWL \ PEOPLE PAINT \ CHANGING LANDSCAPE \ HOUSE AND HOME \
OREO \ A TIRO DE PIEDRA \
LE MONDE DE L'ART \


FLATLAND, 2009.
WOOD, PAPER, DIBOND, MOTORS, CONTROLLER. SEE TEXT FOR DIMENSIONS.
   

Transformation, complexity and subjectivity--> A flat plane appears dimensional spining at certain frequencies, and a spectrum of colors are produced from a simple black and white disc. Flatland is an examination of ideas regarding space, and the interplay between multiple dimensions. The project derives its title from a novel written by Edwin Abbott at the turn of the 19th century which is set in a two-dimensional world, and follows the trials of a character who dares to imagine a third.

Construction of the actual objects came through research of cognitive psychology and cosmology. My interest in ways of seeing lead to a phenomenon called subjective colors, which provided a starting point for a deeper exploration into the realm of perception beyond the physiological. Methaphorically, the work operates as a gateway to another space/place/dimension. Meta/physical. Super/natural. A worm hole, a black hole, a portal. A revelation of complexity through a seemingly binary opposition.

There are currently two versions of this project: a large10 x 8 x 2.5 foot self-standing honeycomb structure called VL ARRAY (images 1-4), and a 5 foot wall-mounted array (images 5-6). A basic description of the work follows:

Groupings of paper-faced discs (half black/ half white) rotate at a specific RPM [local temporal flicker frequency] which is sychronized to the wavelength of the light source. The following two phenomena occur: 1. The black and white discs vibrate with a spectrum of colors (know as Subjective Colors). 2. The flat discs create complex vortex patterns, and appear dimensional.

The motors are set to a six minute cycle [acceleration, cruise speed, deceleration]- In the deceleration mode, one can clearly observe that the discs are black and white, while in the cruising mode the Subjective colors appear. There is a low humming noise as the motors ramp up to speed.

Note: Due to the limitations of photography and video, the phenomena will not document. The color in the last image is shown for illustrative purposes only.