CYGNUS

2014-2015

Drift II (2014)

The Drift II dark matter detector was built in a basement laboratory at Occidental College by researcher Dr. Dan Snowden-Ifft. Based on a design called the “Time Projection Chamber”, the machine attempts to interact with the ghostly stream of dark matter always moving through us at galactic speeds. Drift II will be installed deep inside a mine in the UK where it will be shielded from the background radiation of the cosmos.

Drift II Dark Matter Detector
Digital Inkjet Print
26in x 40in

2014

Drift II Time Projection Chamber
Digital Inkjet Print
26in x 40in

2014

Cygnus (2015)

The cloud of dark matter that surrounds the galaxy does not rotate with it. From our perspective on Earth, dark matter flows from a single direction, like a galactic headwind. The apparent origin of this flow is the constellation Cygnus. Using devices like the Drift II Dark Matter Detector, scientists use this directionality to confirm detections of enigmatic dark matter particles.

Cygnus, the asterism of a swan, is partially shown in this photograph. Its head comes in from the right side. Using custom made software, a flow of dark matter is created using the very pixels of the photograph.

This project is both cinema quality animation & high quality photographic print.

Cygnus Dark Matter Headwind
Digital Inkjet Print from Custom Software
26in x 40in

2015