OPARTICLES
Mathematical Principles as a Design Element.

Wind floating over a ripe cornfield continuously generates kinetic changes of the surface. This natural process was my trigger to experimentally depict motion sequences by variation of equal or similar shapes, avoiding the simulation of perspectives by e.g. size reduction.

The square, a coherent, static form in Gestalt psychology, was selected as the suited contrast element. The single squares are rotated around their centre and thus differ from each other only by their degree of rotation.

This way they gain their momentum, creating a visual effect and determining the complete composition. The structural basis of this depiction is an invisible, regular grid, in which the rows are arranged, offset in a linear sequence.

Scrutinising such seemingly chaotic clusters, our perceptual system tries to recognise symmetries and simple patterns. Squares of similar slope are interpreted as units, they are perceived as structurally important parts of the composition.

Like in a kaleidoscope, optical resonances emerge, forming, in a sense, a game with our kinetic perception.

Wilfried Volk, 18. November 2009