SOLITON

Size: 4 Images 20"W X 16"H each

Materials: White Chalk on Blackboard (unfixed)

Status: Completed January 2004

Exhibition: Suspension: Sonic Absorption - Consolidated Works - Seattle, WA

This work investigates the structure and characteristics of a particular phenomenon in hydrodynamics--the soliton. Solitons are isolated waves that propagate over large regions of space without dispersing energy. The unique nature of solitons is such that they emerge unchanged from collisions with other waves, propogating through canals, near straits, and traveling the open sea. The chalk board drawings describe the structure and motion of solitons. The images track the spatial isolation and temporal evolution of the fluid form. The audio component describes the interaction when two solitons meet. Hydrophones were used to capture wave action and below sea-surface sounds. The goal of this work is to provide a portal through which visitors may experience some inherent properties of water that often go overlooked or unheard.

Listen: Solition.mp3