I’ve always been fascinated by coral. At first, for the otherworldly environments they create on the ocean floor. And later, for a whole range of reasons including their fascinating biological relationship with photosynthesizing algal symbionts, their geologically significant reef building biomineralization activity, and bizarre, modular growth habits.
For years I’ve been going to public aquariums and photographing corals through the glass. But, I figured that having my own aquarium would make it possible for me to carefully observe the growth processes of different species. Three weeks ago I setup my first saltwater aquarium. It sits at the entrance to the Nervous System office. And currently houses 6 coral colonies, 4 snails, and 2 sexy shrimp (yes that is actually the common name of this species).
Today I introduce you to two of the coral colonies living in our tank via short videos I shot last night. Each was shot in real time with a macro lens.
Next week I’ll introduce you to some of the other inhabitants. I also hope to do some projects in the coming year centered around our tank’s inhabitants as they grow.
For all you aquarium nerds out there here are the tank specs: Elos Mini 20 gallon cube aquarium with Elos Sump, Elos PS200 Needlewheel Skimmer, Elos Osmocontroller 2 auto top off, Ecoxotic 18” Panorama Pro LED Fixture, Vortech MP10 powerhead.
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This video is still somewhat incomplete but we decided to post it anyways, we need to add a fly through of the growth at the end. You can’t see much of the grown surface due to the high camera angle. Hopefully we will have a chance to work on this next week.
Nervous System will hold its first gallery exhibition at Rare Device in San Francisco from September 2 to October 10. The exhibition will feature new work, Reaction, in ceramics and showcase their computational designs in jewelry and housewares. The work spans art, products, and interactive media – mixing gallery, store, and playground.
Nervous System’s newest work is Reaction, a line of porcelain pieces based on a chemical patterning system called reaction diffusion which describes a hypothesized mechanism for the synthesis of the diverse patterns seen on animals, from zebra stripes and giraffe spots to the complex coloring of butterflies and tropical fish. The line features slip-cast porcelain housewares as well as ceramic pieces that are 3D printed with a novel technique. These works will be accompanied by video and interactive applications where participants can play with these systems and even create their own designs.
More than simply a display of their end product, this exhibition is about the design process – from conception to program to design to production, showcasing Nervous System’s unique blend of art, science, and craft.
We’ve been talking about doing some designs for ceramics for awhile now. So without further delay I bring you these sketches we made a few days ago for some cup designs based on diffusion reaction.
Nervous System was commissioned by Disseny Hub Barcelona to create one of a kind jewelry pieces for Laboratory of Fabrication, an exhibition highlighting the possibilities of rapid prototyping. Using computational design tools we wrote for our cell cycle line, designers at DHUB created 14 unique bracelets and rings. This unprecedented form of collaboration demonstrates some of the new potential afforded by computational design and digital fabrication. The pieces were printed by Shapeways using SLS nylon. The pieces and software will be on exhibit at DHUB in Barcelona from June 15, 2010 until February 27, 2011. Images of the pieces and a video of the applet below.
here’s another video of our system we are working on while Artists in Residence at SIGGRAPH.this one is growing between two spheres (one inside of the other)we’re hoping to turn this system into a new line of lamps, vases and possibly some other things.we’ve got a bigger one of the 3d printer right now, I should have some pics of it tomorrow after the support material soaks out
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