ORBITAL

Orbital is an art installation based around the levitation of a giant inflated sphere (8m diameter) in the centre of a large cavernous space by harnessing Bernoulli's Principle. This phenomenon allows the sphere to levitate above a jetstream of air pressure, seemingly able to defy gravity. This sphere does not stay still in the air but weaves and shakes as it remains fixed inside the jetstream.

Illuminating the sphere are 4 video projectors, which incorporate camera motion tracking to ensure the projections stay fixed to the sphere movement, giving the illusion of a digital texture attached to the surface of the sphere.

The projections range from depictions of planets and quantum particles, also spherical in nature. The soundscapes range from lush, meditative ambiences to intense and rich textures, sonically representing the vastness of cosmic scale. In between these macro and micro depictions is a sequence of geometric motion graphics and line work, appearing to mathematically divide the sphere into a matrix of quadrants. This is the hidden matrix that is apparent in our simulated environment. As if an Ai is decoding the dimensions of the sphere, and awakening, growing from particle to planet. These geometric visuals are also synchronised to a musical score of technical and percussive beats and arpeggiated melodies, also designed in a way to depict a slow and gradual technical growth of a system. In this instance it is the growth of our universe and the eventual creation of a super intelligent Ai.

This work is pertinent in today's age as we move from science fiction into science fact as we venture forth in the development of artificial super intelligence. A force so powerful it could destroy our very existence, or propel us to another dimension entirely. The sphere is a fundamental object in many fields of mathematics, and extends my research into the utilisation of fundamental shapes. These simple forms seems to present an inexplicable gravitas and spiritual quality, almost hypnotic, thus Orbital is a place of meditation and contemplation.