The concept of a “matter flower” merges artistic expression with scientific understanding. This intriguing idea often refers to installations that blend aesthetic appeal with principles of physics and human perception. Such works invite viewers to engage with art not just visually, but also through a deeper consideration of how we experience the world.
Unveiling the “Matter Flower” Installation
Olafur Eliasson, a Danish-Icelandic artist, is recognized for installations exemplifying the “matter flower” concept. His “Flower pavilion,” created in 2003 for the Shenzhen International Public Art Exhibition, is a notable example. This site-specific work featured a stainless-steel spiny structure reflecting its urban park surroundings, high-rises, and passers-by. Its geometry, developed with Einar Thorsteinn, was based on an altered rhombic triacontahedron, a polyhedron with thirty rhombic faces.
Another work, “Flower observatory,” showcases how Eliasson transforms materials to create varied experiences. This sculpture, appearing spiky and somewhat forbidding from the outside, reveals a “delightful sparkling retreat” within its interior. Both installations utilize highly polished steel and mirrors, creating multiple reflections and kaleidoscopic views. Eliasson’s artistic practice often incorporates natural elements like light, water, and fog, along with mirrors and stainless-steel frames, to craft captivating, perception-altering environments.
The Science of Light and Perception
The “Matter Flower” installations are rooted in the science of light and human perception. Light, a form of electromagnetic radiation, interacts with surfaces in various ways, including reflection, where light bounces off a surface. The polished stainless steel and mirrors within these artworks cause light to reflect repeatedly, creating complex, multiplied images and a sense of infinite space. Spots of light entering through small openings are mirrored and greatly amplified, transforming the interior into a dynamic visual field.
Human perception plays a significant role in how these light interactions are experienced. Our eyes detect different wavelengths of light, which our brain then interprets as colors within the visible spectrum. Eliasson’s installations manipulate these principles; for instance, in his work “Beauty,” light projected onto a thin mist of water creates vivid rainbow colors. This phenomenon demonstrates how light separates into its constituent wavelengths through refraction, allowing us to perceive the full spectrum. Each viewer’s experience of these colors and reflections can be unique, as their position and individual visual processing influence what they see.
Beyond the Artwork: Art, Science, and Understanding
Installations like the “Matter Flower” prompt viewers to consider broader implications concerning the nature of reality and subjective experience. Eliasson aims for his art to engage multiple senses, encouraging visitors to become more aware of their surroundings and the temporary community they form within the space. His works challenge traditional notions of art by making the viewer’s presence and interaction an integral part of the piece itself.
This intersection of art and science encourages a fresh perspective on how we perceive the world. Eliasson’s practice integrates scientific inquiry with artistic expression, often addressing themes like perception and environmental awareness. By making scientific concepts tangible and experiential, such art fosters a deeper understanding of phenomena that might otherwise remain abstract. Art becomes a powerful tool for exploring scientific principles and inspiring new ways of understanding our interconnected world.