FISH OUT OF WATER is a kinetic sculpture commissioned by Le Laboratoire, a lab that studies the intersections between the arts and sciences in Cambridge, MA. Wonder Machines (Jeff Lieberman) collaborated with Danjo Paluska to design and create this artwork for their museum.

 

 

The purpose of the sculpture was to inspire awe and wonder by creating something that seems to be physically impossible: an incredible fluid fountain not only moving in slow motion, but with droplets suspended in mid-air. Two streams intersect to create what is known as a ‘fluid fishbone’ effect — a breathtaking pattern that was discovered by Professor John Bush and his lab at MIT around 2002.

This effect is typically too fast to see and appears blurry to the eye. However, when seen in slow motion, the effect is stunning. Jeff was shown this effect in 2003 and wondered about how to make it physically possible to see in real-time. He brought John Bush onto his TV show ‘Time Warp’ to film the effect in slow motion and share it with the world. After designing several stroboscopic sculptures such as Slow Dance, 15 years later he found a way to construct these fluid fishbones, and strobe them so that they look like they are moving in slow motion.

 

 

Interview with the artist

Jeff Lieberman explores the connections between the arts, sciences, education, passion, creativity, and the potential future of human consciousness.He hosted ‘Time Warp’ on the Discovery Channel, using technology to see beyond the limits of our normal human perception. He composes music in the duo gloobic, and has performed in Carnegie Hall. He shows technological sculptures around the world, to bring people an emotional and mystical connection with science and the universe. Having finished four degrees at MIT (BS: Physics, Math, MS: Mech. Engineering, Media Arts and Sciences), he is exploring the applications of technology to evolving and shifting human consciousness.

Currently Fish Out of Water is a one-of-a-kind sculpture. We have no current plans to manufacture this piece but are open to inquiries for this piece from serious collectors or museums.