Potential Objects

Background 'Potential Objects' is a collection of mixed media artworks, inspired by my experiences at the Australian Synchrotron, CERN, and the RMIT High-Voltage lab. Through charged and unexpected combinations of everyday objects with scientific and technical devices, the artworks play with energy, materiality and society's relationships with technology. The exhibition is sculptural and has an element of pop art, paying homage to the readymade and assemblage, but which builds upon these traditions through the incorporation of contemporary experimental physics. Contribution The works explore the relationship between energy, data, knowledge and their potential material manifestations. The is unique in that it gives physical or sonic form to aspects of research in particle physics, such as entanglement, dark matter, Higgs resonance, baryonic acoustic oscillations. For example, 'Cosmic Tea Party' is a sound sculpture installation that utilizes cosmic particle detectors connected to synthesizers and resonant plate speakers attached to various household items. When a cosmic particle passes through a detector near the objects, they vibrate and emit acoustic pulses and resonating tones. The overall effect is a kind of energetic connection made between the objects, the viewer, and the cosmos. As the physics and my work are both experimental in nature, in terms of the incorporation of devices and data, this strengthens the connections between art and science on both heuristic and conceptual levels. Significance The show had several hundred visitors attend, including an artist talk on Saturday 18 April, and an interview with extracts of the aural components was broadcast on 3CR radio (aired on Friday April 17, 2015). I presented the works to an international group of peers at the 'Energies in the Arts' conference, co-presented by the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) and the National Institute for Experimental Arts (NIEA), UNSW Art & Design, 13 - 15 August 2015.