Spaces of possibility between art and research
Multipolar
As part of an artistic research project the Berlin based studio ATELIER-E explored which influence the arrangement of a molecule has on the properties of a material. Their investigation led to the kinetic installation "Multipolar," which combines art, science, and technology.
© David von Becker
The installation symbolises the importance of chemistry for research into future materials, as even minor molecular changes can give rise to new properties.
The installation "Multipolar" illustrates the potential for a diverse range of materials to be generated from the fundamental building blocks of materia – atoms and molecules. The interactions between these building blocks can create materials with properties as diverse as those observed in diamonds, which are hard and brittle, or rubber, which is flexible and malleable.
In this project, the two researchers Daniel Dalfovo and Christian Losert from ATELIER-E have placed particular emphasis upon liquid crystals. These materials are capable of being modified in response to specific stimuli, including changes in temperature, light, and electrical voltage. Liquid crystals are widely used in the production of displays for electronic devices such as calculators, computers, and smartphones. Within the context of the Futurium Lab, the crystals produce intriguing light effects, thereby symbolising the transformative properties of materials in general.
The artistic vision of "Multipolar" needs a considerable amount of technology. The entire installation is attached to the ceiling and resembles in its function a large industrial robot. The individual elements are connected with motors, which allows the installation to move around the room. Everything is controlled and choreographed by specially developed software.
The installation deliberately leaves the question unanswered as to whether it is perceived as an organic or technical object. This is a strategy employed by the artists to highlight the potential of the interplay between technology and chemistry in the development of new materials.
The installation combines sound, movement, and light to create an immersive experience. By doing so, it encourages reflection on the potential of materials research and demonstrates how the structures of the smallest particles determine the properties of our tangible world.
