#024: Ferrofluid Magnetic Art
Artists Sachiko Kodama and Yasushi Miyajima have created this amazing sculpture using magnetic fluid and electromagnetic fields. A controlled magnetic field interacts with the ferrofluid to create patterns that work beautifully when set to music.
This technique uses one electromagnet, and its iron core is extended and sculpted. The ferrofluid covers the sculpted surface of a three-dimensional iron shape that was made on an electronic NC lathe. The movement of the spikes in the fluid is controlled dynamically on the surface by adjusting the power of the electromagnet. The shape of the iron body is designed as helical so that the fluid can move to the top of the helical tower when the magnetic field is strong enough.
Clever stuff. Where else have you seen magnets in art?
