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“Resonance II ” is the second work in the resonance series. This interactive sculpture visually explores intersections of sound waves to create geometric patterns. These same types of mathematical patterns are seen all throughout nature anywhere from the florets of a sunflower to the formation of nautilus shells to the breeding patterns of rabbits. These vibrational equations, often referred to as sacred geometry, have even been exploited in ancient architecture as seen in the great pyramids.

The mathematical relationship between vibrational forces and nature have been studied by some of the greatest minds in history including, but not limited to, Pythagoras, Plato, Fibonacci, Johannes Kepler, and in more recent times, the late Hans Jenny.

Dr. Jenny conducted in-depth experiments exciting liquids and powders on metal plates with various audible sound frequencies. Based on the frequency or frequencies applied to the plate, geometric patterns, rotating vortices, and even animal-like figures in motion would appear. He named this phenomenon Cymatics.

The work of Dr. Hans Jenny suggests that these vibrational phenomena exist within a larger, unified force. Like him, I am driven to investigate the point in which man’s physical prescence and ethereal consciousness play in to this unified field and these specific phenomena. Resonance 2 is my adaption of the Cymatic phenomenon and my attempt to connect the viewer to the creative power of vibrations.

This interactive sculpture utilizes three clear acrylic plates atop a pyramidal base. The viewer interacts by scooping a handful of sand from a reservoir along the bottom of the base and spreading it on the plates. When the participant moves their hand near the front of the base, a sound is emitted which vibrates the plates and in turn creates a pattern on each one of the three plates. The sound intensity varies depending on the distance of the participant’s hand to the piece.