Dark Matter

Dark Matter is an ongoing series of photographs depicting iron filings coerced into sculptures according to the magnetic field of suspended ceramic magnets. Made to encourage mindful consideration of particle physics and cosmology.

Inspired by dark matter, a form of matter we cannot directly interact with though it keeps entire galaxies from flinging apart into space, ceramic magnets were suspended and exposed to iron filings. Clinging to the magnets according to the surrounding magnetic fields, the iron filings were manipulated and coerced into unique shapes and patterns. Each piece of iron becomes a link in a chain made possible by the invisible force of magnetism and influenced by gravity’s pull, resulting in dynamic photographs that bring attention to unseen fundamental forces.

The next evolution of the project will expand beyond pure abstraction and incorporate a sense of place. Iron particles and magnetite can be found in abundance across the landscape of the western US. The Dark Matter project will continue by capturing these magnetic particles, forming them into similar but evolved sculptures, and adding an additional photographic element in the form of landscape, thus linking the sculptures to their physical origin and making their abstract nature tangible.

Photographs of the surrounding area where the components of the sculpture were harvested will be included in the series, grounding the abstract nature of the sculpture and presenting a real, physical location as the source of these material relationships, and by extension, other physical events outside our experience. This invites viewers to consider the unseen forces of the universe as not just occurring in distal corners of the cosmos, but also as part of the innate structure of our immediate surroundings.

This expanded phase will result in a cohesive photographic body of work ready for publication and exhibition. Collection of materials, sculpting, and production of photographs will all be handled in the field, made possible by my ability to travel full time out of a production-capable vehicle and camp on location.

Dark Matter is an ongoing series of photographs born from a combined awe of the natural world and a bittersweet frustration at the wondering of what is still out there to understand, or perhaps more, what we will never be able to. This sentiment is in direct contrast to the current political climate in the United States and its attitude towards science and scientific institutions. Work that inspires curiosity and celebrates scientific inquiry is desperately needed to reaffirm the cultural importance of interacting with deep, universal questions probed by science and the positive driving force this engagement has in a healthy society.