In 10,000 Peacock Feathers in Foaming Acid, Evelina Domnitch and Dmitry Gelfand use laser light to scan the surfaces of nucleating and dissipating soap bubble clusters. Unlike ordinary light, the laser’s focused beam is capable of crawling through the micro and nano structures within a bubble’s skin. When aimed at specific angles, this penetrating light generates a large-scale projection of molecular interactions as well as mind-boggling phenomena of non-linear optics. Bubble behaviors viewed in such proximity evoke the dynamics of living cells (the lipid membranes of which are direct chemical descendants of soap film).
Dmitry Gelfand and Evelina Domnitch create sensory immersion environments that merge physics, chemistry and computer science with uncanny philosophical practices. Current findings, particularly in the domain of mesoscopics, are employed by the artists to investigate questions of perception and perpetuity. Having dismissed the use of recording media, their works exist as ever-transforming phenomena offered for observation.
In order to engage such ephemeral processes, the duo has collaborated with numerous scientific research facilities, including the Drittes Physikalisches Institut (Goettingen University, Germany), the Institute of Advanced Sciences and Technologies (Japan), and the European Space Research and Technology Centre (The Netherlands). They are recipients of the Japan Media Arts Excellence Prize (2007), and four Ars Electronica Honorary Mentions (2007, 2009, 2011, 2013).
Visit Evelina Domnitch and Dmitry Gelfand’s website: portablepalace.com
Lucky Dragons is an experimental group consisting of artists Luke Fischbeck and Sarah Rara. Based in Los Angeles, California, they are noted for their unusual sound, described as having the ability to make “‘everyday sounds’ become alluringly other.” Their performances include live music, video projection, and sounds created in collaboration with the audience. They have performed at major international art institutions and at the 2008 Whitney Biennial.
Visit Lucky Dragons website: luckydragons.org