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Acclaimed creative technology innovators, Obscura Digital, transform the façade of historic Pier 15 into a luminous portal revealing unseen dimensions of complex micro and macro phenomena.
‘Emergence’ takes visitors on a dynamic journey through a vivid array of non-computer generated, real-life visualizations that evoke a sense wonder and awe about the nature of order in our universe. To capture these marvels of nature, Obscura designed and fabricated ten miniature replicas of the Exploratorium’s façade, some microscopic, to contain unique experiments involving fluid dynamics, microorganisms, particle interactions, living systems, crystallization, and growth in time lapse.
Documented in ultra high definition video, these compelling natural subjects are projection mapped back on the surface of the building, creating the illusion of being contained within its structure. Accompanying the exhibit, a multitude of unique, non-digital sounds, arranged and composed by Obscura musicians, converge to form extraordinary harmonics that elevate the experience to a new level.
In addition to the ‘Emergence’ exhibit, Obscura presents an interactive thermal imaging wall (in cooperation with Flir), located on the side of the Exploratorium building, where visitors can see their heat signature projected in real-time, at large-scale, with brilliant color. Evening Programs:Wednesday, April 17th and Thursday April 18th8:30pm (nightfall) http://obscuradigital.com/
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Art, Design, Nature and Technology at Scale
Exploratorium’s Grand Opening Pier 15 in San Francisco
April 17-18, 2013 / 8:30pm
Obscura Digital
SAN FR ANCI SCO OFF ICE
729 Tenessee Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
+1 415 227 9979
NEW YORK OFFICE
10 Jay Street Suite 914
Brooklyn, NY 11210
+1 917 723 4717
EUROPE OFFICE
Katarina Västra Kyrkogata 10
11625 Stockholm
+1 46 73 984 4531obscuradigital.com
Emergence To have a mind capable of contemplat-ing existence is a miraculous thing, hopefully what we’ve created will rouse people to revel in the wonder of being.”
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- Garth Williams, Emergence Creative Director
10 Microcosms————————————————————————————————————
Fluid Dynamics (Cloud Tank): Entropy(41"x 24" X 3") Acrylic Laminate Tank
A water tight, transparent replica of the Exploratorium, complete with 36 valves was created to observe and manipulate entropy and fluid dynamics phenomena. Practical effects technicians performed choreographed injections of colored dyes and other liquids into thetank as valves releasing fluid from the created swirling eddies of color and texture.————————————————————————————————————
Wax Liquefaction: Entropy(23"x 5" X 1/2") Acrylic And Aluminum Mold
A replica of the Exploratorium made of multicolored layers of paraffin was created in a special mold. The replica was then melted for the camera by five effects techs with heat guns and hair dryers.————————————————————————————————————
Particles: Entropy(23"x 5" X 1/2") Glass And Acrylic Tray
A glass backed tray in the shape of the Exploratorium was used to contain colored sand which was blown away in choreographed patterns with an air compressor. In post production each of these shots were layered to create a multicolored, disintegration effect.————————————————————————————————————
Cymatic Particles: Entropy + Order(23"x 5" X 1/2") Glass And Acrylic Tray
A glass backed tray in the shape of the Exploratorium was used to contain colored sand which was vibrated with intense frequencies created with a large speaker and an oscillator. As a result the sand organizes into interesting and dynamic patterns.————————————————————————————————————
Immiscible Fluids: Entropy(14"x 2" X 1/4") Acrylic Tray
Using a variety of dyes and volatile chemicals, colorful and animated amoeboid like shapes percolate across a liquid surface.————————————————————————————————————
Crystals: Order, Growth(23"x 32" X 1/2") Acrylic Tank
Filled with a saturated solution of water and mono ammonium phosphate, this scale replica of the Exploratorium creates an environment for crystals to naturally form and grow. Captured through time lapse photography over a period of two weeks, the architectural features of the building appear to bristle with beautiful and delicate geometric shards.———————————————————————————————————— 2 / 7
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10 Microcosms (cont’d)————————————————————————————————————
Physarum Polycephalum (slime Mold): Order, Growth(23"x 5" X 1/2") Acrylic Tray
A sterilized tray in the exact shape of the building is used to contain and grow a living culture of this unusual organism. Treading the line between animal and fungus, this bizarre oozing life form navigates the enclosure, moving from food source to food source. Through time lapse photography this amazing phenomena is captured over the period of one week.————————————————————————————————————
Fast Plants: Order, Growth(41"x 8.8" X 2") Acrylic Terrarium
A terrarium constructed in the shape of the Exploratorium, outfitted with grow lights and a watering system provides a home for the world's fastest growing, 'Wisconsin Fast Plants'. Captured in time lapse over 35 days, these tenacious life forms grow from seed to flower, while navigating the negative spaces of the architecture.————————————————————————————————————
Microfauna: Order, Life(10mm X 3mm X .03mm) Picosecond Laser-milled Microscope Slide
An exact replica of the Exploratorium, milled into the surface of a microscope slide with a high precision laser beam is home to a plethora of microscopic organisms. Captured under the microscope these tiny creatures swim about, bumping into walls while navigating the architectural geometry of what must be the worlds smallest aquarium.————————————————————————————————————
Terrestrial Biopsy: Order, Living Systems(41"x 8.8" X 8") Glass And Wood Open Terrarium(41"x 5" X 2") Glass And Wood Subterranean Terrarium
Through the creation of two separate terrariums, above and below ground, a cross section of a temperate forest floor is simulated. Populating this environment are a wide variety of flora and fauna including; ferns, moss, fungus, millipedes, salamanders, termites, newts, worms and others.————————————————————————————————————
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Video ————————————————————————————————————
Obscura Behind The Scenes:
http://vimeo.com/63614114
Images ————————————————————————————————————
Cloud Tank - Fluid Dynamics(41” x 24” x 3”) acrylic laminate tank
Wax Melt - Liquefaction(23” x 5” x 1/2”) acrylic and aluminum mold
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Images (con’t)————————————————————————————————————
Terrestrial Biopsy - Living Systems(41” x 8.8” x 8”) glass and wood open terrarium
Microfauna - Order, Life(10mm x 3mm x .03mm) icosecond laser-milled microscope slide
To request web or high resolution images contact:
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Obscura————————————————————————————————————
Travis Threlkel Chief Creative OfficerGarth Williams Concept, Design, Creative DirectionTim Digulla Art DirectorMarc Melzer Director of Media & ArtJennifer Spratt ProducerSusan Ali Media ProducerMatty Dowlen Head of ProductionBarry Threw Head of InteractiveAna Herruzo Lead Interactive EngineerAndrew Plourde Sr. Technical DirectorGaston Albanell Technical DirectorBryan Sullivan Technical Director Tom Sepe Prototyping and Practical EffectsDesmond Shea System Engineer Hoss Ward Lead FabricatorPhillip Briggs Director of PhotographyJim Ellis Lead 3DAlexi Alexaieff Production ArtistJosh Brott PhotographyGeorge Rosenthal Media TechnicianEric Schneider Purchasing
Special Thanks ————————————————————————————————————
Dr. Karen Kalumuck Biology Consultation(Exploratorium)
Ben Stokes Cinematographer, Designer(Mission Control)
Richard Weinberg, Ph.D. Digital Cinema Microscopy
Richard Weinberg is a research associate professor at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, in the John C. Hench Division of Animation and Digital Arts, and is a pioneer in the integration of ultrahigh resolution digital cinematography with optical microscopy. Special thanks to: David Caron, Ph.D. and Alyssa Gellene of USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Darren Kraemer & Saied Rezaei / Attodyne, Inc.Attodyne manufactures high-powered picosecond lasers used for micro-machining in science and technology fields. Darren and Saied expertly laser-milled microscopic Exploratorium shaped enclosures used to contain and photograph living microorganisms. www.attodynelasers.com
FLIR Systems, Inc.FLIR Systems is the global leader in design, manufacture and marketing of Thermal Imaging Infrared Cameras.6 / 7
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Company————————————————————————————————————
Obscura Digital, a global innovator in creative vision, technical strategy, and engaging events, delivers entertaining, informative, and educational communications experiences for an international client base.
For more than a decade, Obscura has been delving into new and inventive territories for some of the world’s most forward-thinking corporations, governments, museums, and public institutions.
Obscura’s creative technology studio, equipped with the imaginative minds of designers, artists, composers, and engineers, manifests award-winning installations and major international events that generate a sense of awe, wonder, and inspiration for live audiences.
With advancements in interactive design, content visualization, physical interface software, and various media, Obscura produces interactive installations, large-format architectural projections, immersive experiences, and creative design.
Since its inception in 2000, Obscura has been paving the way for innovation by exploring the infinite possibilities of light and developing new technologies, keeping them at the forefront of the age of visualization.
Obscura operates as a Certified Green Business with headquarters in San Francisco and offices in New York and Europe.
http://obscuradigital.com/
Press Contact————————————————————————————————————
Mia Hanak Public RelationsObscura [email protected]
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