Moving Creates Vortices and Vortices Create Movement

teamLab, 2017, Interactive Digital Installation, Endless, Sound: teamLab

Moving Creates Vortices and Vortices Create Movement

teamLab, 2017, Interactive Digital Installation, Endless, Sound: teamLab

When a person moves, a force is applied in that direction. As a result, a flow occurs. When the flow accelerates, a rotation phenomenon is produced due to the difference in the surrounding flow velocities, creating a vortex. The faster a person moves, the more force is applied in that direction. If a person stops or leaves the artwork, the flow will cease, and nothing will exist in the space.

Flow in the artwork is expressed as a continuum of numerous particles, and the interaction between the particles is calculated. Lines are drawn according to the trails of the particles. The accumulation of lines that represent the work are then “flattened” according to what teamLab calls ultrasubjective space.

Each of the water particles makes a very brief sound while moving. If many of the particles continuously move, the brief sounds emitted by each of the particles will come together to form continuous music.

Variations in the work are born and continue to change, perpetually influenced by people's movement.

In the ocean, complicated terrain such as an island produces flow velocity difference and a vortex can be generated. Vortices swirl up the carcasses of organisms sunk to the bottom of the ocean, producing nutritious seawater. This becomes a source of nutrition for plankton to grow and nourishes the sea life. Vortices therefore contribute to enriching the ocean.

This artwork was commissioned by the National Gallery of Victoria and is part of the museum’s permanent collection. It was also exhibited in the first NGV Triennial (2017-2018).