WHITE VORTEX
THE CONCEPT
A sculpture made of moving air – white water vapour, acting as a signal material, is caught in the light and reveals the movement and dancing of the air.
The vortex pulsates in reaction to changes in the machine and the presence of the spectator.
The soundtrack is based on samples of the sound of the vortex machine.
THE TEST MACHINE
The machine is a closed cylinder with a powerful “snail shell” blower. Air circulates continuously. A white vapour allows us to see the dynamic vortex form. It is limited and controlled by the blower and the size of the extraction opening…
THE TECHNICAL PRINCIPLE
Contained in a glass cylinder, air circulates in a closed system causing a vortex to form.
The bottom of the machine is a round chamber containing the lighting and a smoke source. Water vapour enters the glass cylinder through small holes in the glass floor.
At the top of the machine a suction chamber connects to the intake of the air blower.
The dance of the vortex is caused by electronically varying the speed and flow of the air in the system. This movement can be triggered by proximity sensors detecting the presence of the spectator.
A continuous vortex occurs naturally in this system.
OTHER VORTEX TESTS
A selection of vortex tests using various machines…