Chladni Figures

Created mathematically-inspired art piece.

I designed Chladni Figures while studying partial differential equations as a way to better understand the subject. To create this work, I built a computer simulation that visualized modes of vibration in a resonating rigid plate. In homage to Ernst Chladni’s original work with nodal patterns, I used a CNC process to deposit salts onto photographic plates in distributions corresponding to the calculated solutions. I then exposed each plate to sunlight to develop them. The plates are organized in rows and columns corresponding to their axial and radial mode numbers.

Skills: mathematics, fabrication, photography, physical modelling