Perception
of the Extreme Unseen
Visual
Logistics and Representation of Subatomic Particle Matter and Energy
Jan-Henrik
Andersen
Particle
Designer
Jean
Paul Slusser Gallery, University of Michigan, School of Art &
Design
February
13 through March 13 2004
Statement
By using the simple equation of a super ellipse,
based on a Lamé curve; (x/a) m +(y/b) m=1, where a and b are the size of the
major and minor axes (positive real numbers), and m is a rational number,
and by mirroring and rotating this curve in space, I generated an ellipsoid,
which in combination with its own curvature creates all the forms on display.
The exhibition shows visual representation of
the basic particle groups; the Fermions (Quarks and Leptons) and Bosons. In
addition there are examples of the visual representation of supersymmetric
particles, the Graviton and Higgs boson.
The 38 images are mid size and large digital ink
on canvas and art paper. There are also some smaller works in rapid prototyping
and bronze. All the works were created using a computer NURBS modeler with
radiocity rendering in displayed size 1:1.
The
nature of the work is to lift the veil on the optically impossible task of
visually observing subatomic particles by translating their properties and
behavior, known as the Standard Mode of subatomic physics, into a coherent
visual three-dimensional language.
Since no
one has ever seen, nor will anyone ever see anything as small as a Quark or a
Neutrino, one could argue that they could look like anything, if they have
³looks² at all. But their properties and behavior can offer the basis for a
rational discussion of their visual presence. Unfortunately this is not enough,
since one can¹t say with any certainty that there is only one visual solution
to how one represents properties like spin, mass, charge, or color.
My
proposal is to represent the particles visual context where these properties
represents the syntax, and then work to reflect the meaning of the properties
as visual elements within an order. According the physics there is nothing
smaller than these particles, - they are the bottom line of anything and
everything. Yet they occur in
multitudes as they form groups and subgroups, parities and symmetries,
antiparticles and supersymmetries, they decay from one state to another,
changing properties, and they move very fast.
The following statements constituted the primary
premises of my visual problem;
All
the forms must be generated by one simple visual element, the particles must
have the same form yet be different; there must be logic coherence between the
particles according to the categorizations and decay patterns of the Standard
Model. Finally, their spin in combination with great directional velocity
requires a multi directional visual quality as illustrated above.
The exhibition is the result of 3 years of
collaboration between the Physics Department initiated by Associate Dean Sherri
Smith, and supported by Dean Rogers in the School of Art and Design.
I would like to thank Office of the Vice President for
Research and Dean Rogers for their financial support, my colleagues, in
particular Professors Dennis Miller for his graphic design and typography (this
very font: ³Subatomic²), Sherri Smith and Dwayne Overmyer for their support,
help and constructive critique. Sincere thanks to Lenee Lane, Lois Kane, and of
course to my colleagues Professors Gordon Kane and David Gerdes in the Physics
Department of University of Michigan.
Thanks also to the help from Studio Coordinators Ken Brown in sculpture
and David Liske in the digital print shop, and the rest of the schools great
support and exhibition staff.
Jan-Henrik Andersen
Images from the exhibition opening
Exhibition flyer in Adobe Acrobat
List of exhibited images and objects