Fountain of Instability

by Ned Kahn


Beneath the clear dome, water squirts through a flexible hose. Turn the knob to change the speed of the water. At low speeds, the hose wags lazily back and forth. As you turn up the flow, the hose whips wildly in all directions.

Watch for patterns in the movement of the hose and in the splashing trail of water. If you listen carefully, you may also be able to hear different patterns in the spray of the hose.

 

Dimensions: 69" x 42" 42" Weight: 250 lbs.

Artist's Comments: The confluence of science and art has fascinated me throughout my career. For the last fifteen years, I have developed a body of work inspired by atmospheric physics, geology, astronomy, and fluid motion. I strive to create artworks that enable viewers to observe and interact with natural processes. I am less interested in creating an alternative reality than I am in capturing, through my art, the mysteriousness of the world around us.


  
My artworks frequently incorporate flowing water, fog, sand, 
and light to create complex and continually changing systems. 
Many of these works can be seen as "observatories" in that they 
frame and enhance our perception of natural phenomena. I am 
intrigued with the way patterns can emerge when things flow. 
These patterns are not static objects, they are patterns of 
behavior-recurring themes in the repertoire of nature.