SLOW DANCE

by Jeff Lieberman

Slow Dance is a visual artwork created by Jeff Lieberman. By taking advantage of the limits of human visual perception, it makes real objects appear to move in slow motion.

It's the perfect addition to your home, office, or as a gift.

Use code SPRINGSALE to get $50 off (sale ends on Sunday)

$499.00

Ebonized Ash

Craft Pine

Light Pine

IN STOCK

Free Delivery On All Orders | 1-Year Limited Warranty

Slow Dance demo and
walkthrough with Jeff

4 unique illusions.

The Slow Dance has different modes, that all display a different illusion.
Switch easily between the modes and find your favorite!

Slow Dance

In this mode the object appears to move in slow motion.

Super Slow Dance

The objects appears to move in ultra slow motion.

Double Trouble

Looks like the object starts as one, and splits into two parts before reforming.

Pop and Lock

The object looks like it jumps through space, like a 1930s slow motion movie!

Using science to create magic

By using high speed strobe lights blinking 80 times a second, your eyes cannot even see that they are blinking - the light looks continuous.

By synchronizing the strobes to the high-speed vibration of objects (created with the magnets and central electromagnet), we create the visual illusion of those objects moving in slow motion. This is a phenomenon called persistence of vision, and works similarly to the way a TV works - by flickering frozen images quickly enough that we perceive them as continuous motion. By varying the timing of the strobelights, the different animations are created - but the actual motion is always the same.

Original Art by Jeff Lieberman

When my closest friend from college Eric was marrying my new friend Emily, I considered it the time to give them a once-in-a-lifetime gift. They were both dancers, and so I immediately thought about creating something where two โ€˜oppositesโ€™ danced with one another.

I had been playing for years with techniques that allowed me to use high-speed stroboscopy to make things look like they were moving in slow motion. But after weeks of hand-designing dozens of objects that might vibrate in interesting ways, I was stuck โ€” none of them had the wondrous impact I was searching for. Somehow they didnโ€™t surprise me enough as a viewer to create impact. I went for a frustrated walk around the block of my office thinking โ€œWhat is missing? Why canโ€™t I design something that looks incredible to see moving in slow motion?โ€ Lost in thought, a branch hit me in the face. I looked at the branch.

It was a Eureka moment. That pine branch was more beautiful than anything I as a person could design, and had evolved over millions of years to vibrate in the wind. I looked all around the environment โ€” branches, flowers, feathers and more โ€” with a sense of awe suddenly realizing that nature had designed millions of artifacts more beautiful than I ever would. And using what I knew, I could make them look like they were dancing impossibly, in slow motion.

4 unique illusions.

The Slow Dance has different modes, that all display a different illusion.
Switch easily between the modes and find your favorite!

Slow Dance

In this mode the object appears to move in slow motion.

Super Slow Dance

The object appears to move in ultra slow motion.

Double Trouble

Looks like the object starts as one, and splits into two parts before reforming.

Pop and Lock

The object looks like it jumps through space, like a 1930s slow motion movie!

Using science to create magic

By using high speed strobe lights blinking 80 times a second, your eyes cannot even see that they are blinking - the light looks continuous.

By synchronizing the strobes to the high-speed vibration of objects (created with the magnets and central electromagnet), we create the visual illusion of those objects moving in slow motion.

This is a phenomenon called persistence of vision, and works similarly to the way a TV works - by flickering frozen images quickly enough that we perceive them as continuous motion.By varying the timing of the strobelights, the different animations are created - but the actual motion is always the same.

Original art by Jeff Lieberman

When my closest friend from college Eric was marrying my new friend Emily, I considered it the time to give them a once-in-a-lifetime gift. They were both dancers, and so I immediately thought about creating something where two โ€˜oppositesโ€™ danced with one another.

I had been playing for years with techniques that allowed me to use high-speed stroboscopy to make things look like they were moving in slow motion. But after weeks of hand-designing dozens of objects that might vibrate in interesting ways, I was stuck โ€” none of them had the wondrous impact I was searching for.

Somehow they didnโ€™t surprise me enough as a viewer to create impact. I went for a frustrated walk around the block of my office thinking โ€œWhat is missing? Why canโ€™t I design something that looks incredible to see moving in slow motion?โ€ Lost in thought, a branch hit me in the face. I looked at the branch.

It was a Eureka moment. That pine branch was more beautiful than anything I as a person could design, and had evolved over millions of years to vibrate in the wind. I looked all around the environment โ€” branches, flowers, feathers and more โ€” with a sense of awe suddenly realizing that nature had designed millions of artifacts more beautiful than I ever would. And using what I knew, I could make them look like they were dancing impossibly, in slow motion.

Customer Reviews

Based on 110 reviews
95%
(104)
3%
(3)
1%
(1)
0%
(0)
2%
(2)
A
Alicia K.
Top 5 things I've ever purchased!

Jeff,

I think this is in the top 5 things I've ever purchased. I could stare at this in awe for hours. It really feels like magic. I just wanted to say what a spectacular piece of work this is, amazing idea, and beautifully crafted and executed. I'd love to hear the backstory on it and how you came up with the idea. What a showstopper and piece to talk about when people come over. Congrats on your success!

Best,
Alicia

Hi Alicia - So glad you are enjoying it. If you want more details on the backstory, I've written up some here on my personal site: https://bea.st/slow-dance . I think you'll like the story, as Slow Dance started as a wedding gift for two friends of mine that are both dancers :)

K
Kenny M.
Be still.

I'm very excited having Slow-Dance in my office. As a Licensed Counselor I have the opportunity of helping people remember how to slow down and find restoration while empowering them to understand that their / our perception isn't always accurate. Having such a powerful visual aid as Slow-Dance has been a great addition to my practice and the conversations that it sparks are priceless. Thank you Wonder Machines. Sincerely, a humble Adventure Guide

M
Michael E.
Everyone asks about it

So i saw the Slow Dance in a Facebook advert a fairly long time ago and thoughtโ€ฆโ€ฆ i have to have one. It felt a little pricey so i dragged my feet a bit and it took a few months for me to actually make the purchase. Starting my own business ended up being the catalyst for the move. Our company logo features a black frame so the ebonized ash was so perfect and matched all our furniture. It seemed a little like fate so i pulled the trigger, i figured that this would be our first item of fascination in the lobby.

When it arrived it was obvious it was worth every penny, this really is a piece of art. A moving sculpture that attracts constant attention, encourages conversation and โ€ฆโ€ฆmost importantly, does exactly what it says on the tinโ€ฆโ€ฆ. its creates wonder for even the most experienced of our guests.

I have been asked for the link to the website maybe 10 times since in the last 2 months of us having one and i cannot see it stopping. Congratulations on a great product and please let me know if you have anything else like this planned in the future.

Br

Mike

A
Adam F.
Videos donโ€™t do it justice

Before ordering my Slow Dance I didnโ€™t fully appreciate how stunning the slow motion effect is. Seriously, videos donโ€™t do it justice!

The packaging, craftmanship and attention-to-detail are truly amazing! Itโ€™s become an integral part of my interior and a consistent topic of discussion.

J
James M.
Unbelievable

Itโ€™s better than it looks online and thatโ€™s saying something. Totally mesmerising.

J
Janet H.
Embracing

Such a wonderful product, giving a sense that you are so close to nature. A calmness, everlasting serenity.
Thank you

D
David R.
Amazing

Sometimes you see something and think you have to have it only to ultimately be disappointed when it arrives. That is not the case here. Itโ€™s an amazing piece of art that I am endlessly entertained with. Itโ€™s well worth the price and Iโ€™m sort of surprised it isnโ€™t more expensive. Count me as a huge fan of Jeff and Iโ€™m hoping he comes out with something new one day. Iโ€™ll be a buyer for sure.

A
Audrey N.
Such a special interesting gift

For the person who has it all, this is a unique and interesting gift!

C
Cynthia O.
Amazing

I am so glad I ordered the Wonder Machine. We are enjoying using greenery, flowers, different feathers. This exceeded my expectations.

A
Ajani

The machine stopped working after just two months. Customer service never responded to me. Absolutely NOT worth the price point.

Hi Ajani,

We are sorry to hear your Slow Dance has a defect. That happens time to time which is why we provide a 1-year limited warranty and can ship a new one to you once you have sent us your unit. I will have a team member look into your account to get in touch with you ASAP. We apologize for not getting back to you, it's possible your email was lost to spam or accidentally missed.

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