I am interested in natural materials and the processes that define nature. In order to explore the evocative patterns that ‘nature’ creates, I am working on a project named Artificial-Nature. The project aim to challenge and broaden the established horizon of traditional materials and processes.

 

The surface of our planet’s richly textured crust is made up of a diverse mixture of amazing abstract patterns. It is created by the interplay of geological forces such as heat and pressure in the earth’s interior, and also by external forces such as weathering and erosion caused by sun, wind, water and glacier ice. The interplay is a number of different processes that occur over space and time.

Focusing on the natural processes and bridging the gap between science and art, this project designs and creates a numerical control wave machine that simulates ocean movement to explore the broad and elegant principles underpinning the formation of ripples patterns.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This wave machine has four turbines driven by motors in a one square metre water tank. It creates waves when they are activated. After three to four minutes, sand ripples texture underneath will occur, and will become more obvious with the lapse of time. By changing the frequency or position of motors, it accurately controls the patterns beyond normal phenomenon that most often occurs in nature. The patterns possess an almost indescribable and mysterious sense of aesthetics. 

 

 

The Patterns Possess An Almost Indescribable and Mysterious Sense of Aesthetics. By changing the frequency or position of motors, it accurately controls the patterns beyond normal phenomenon that most often occurs in nature.  

 

 

Therefore, this project aims to simulate the natural processes of making, and yet achieves a level of accuracy and perfection that are uncontrolled by nature. 

 

 

Sponsored by KOHLER

Best Thanks To: Mark Bickerstaffe, Calar Heyworth