It is speculated that 99% of the known universe is composed of plasma. On earth we live in a bubble of "ordinary" matter states such as solid, liquid, gas. Such phenomena as lightenting, solar eclipses, auroras, nuclear fusion, interstellar nebulas provide infinite wonder in that context. Although not intended to present a scientifically accurate representation of plasma flow, "PLASM" is intended to provide the same visual pleasure as one might experience observing star formation from the Hubble telescope or conversely seeing plasma ion fusion through a microscope. "PLASM" is a meditation on recursiveness and how the macrocosm mirrors the microcosm.

I'm fascinated with particle systems, algorhythmic composition and other models for mapping order onto seemingly chaotic processes of nature.

The visual piece was created using a combination of MAYA 3D and After Effects for a final project in the Virtual and The Real 3D class taught Jean-Marc Gaultier. In the course of developing the particle systems and various physical properties (gravity fields and vortexes) that define this simulated microcosm of "PLASM", I began to free associate the visual results with personal notions of how thoughts and ideas are transmitted and changed from person to person, culture to culture (memes) in a similar fashion as plasma fusion and even cellular mitosis and viral mutation. This free association lead to some further abstraction of the initial visualization and I believe a richer piece of art.

Visitors to the ITP show initially, but anyone who enjoys abstract / experimental visual art and music.

Visitor sees the colorful glowing blob shapes morfing on a plasma screen or projected on a wall from a distance at the show, looks to the pieces description, understands it, hears the music through the speakers or sees the headphones by the description and puts them on, enjoys the music for a 3 minutes then moves on to the next piece ;-)

1 computer with Quicktime installed, 1 video (the piece) on Loop, 1 projector or big (plasma) monitor, powered speakers or headphones. Simple.