Energy & Entropy
 
 





ENERGY
Gallery 1434, University of California Santa Barbara

These works explore the physical concepts of energy by exaggerating its effects. Referencing the atomic, ENERGY consists of a sphere suspended via slinkys in a cube-shaped room. In atomic systems, a great number of forces play off of one another in complex ways which ultimately lead to a balanced system. Why should the forces of nature operate in such complex ways as to lead ultimately to balance? In ENERGY, a wooden sphere is placed at the center of eight slinkys, acting as huge springs within the space. The slightest motion - even a breeze due to walking - causes the sphere to vibrate non-linearly. While the motion is complex, it ultimately leads the system to a point of stability, and the sphere returns to its original position. Long exposure photographs reveal the motions of the sphere.





ENTROPY
Gallery 1434, University of California Santa Barbara

ENTROPY
is a scientific term which describes how thermodynamic systems move from states of high energy to lower, or increasing disorder. The way in which the leaves of trees fall, and land, in random patterns is an example of entropy. Most physical systems, such as thermodynamics, rock formation, astronomical systems, and mechanical systems act according to increasing entropy, becoming less organized. Biological systems are a unique exception, in that they take energy from the world and reduce the entropy of matter - increasing the organization of matter. In ENTROPY, a pile of leaves begin in a disorganized, high-entropy state. Shortly after, a thin line of leaves floats upward, out of the pile into a line suspended in space - an organized, low-entropy state.

A tree takes the disorder of matter, water, nutrients and sunlight, and organizes it into a living tree. Similarly, in this artwork, a machine acts as a human-created entropy device - transforming a pile of leaves into the reverse of chaos. .