How This Guy Makes Mesmerizing Fluid Sculptures | Obsessed | WIRED

Summary

Artist Eric Mesple has been enchanting audiences with his ferrofluid sculptures for over a decade. Ferrofluid, a liquid with nano-sized iron particles, reacts dramatically to magnetic fields, a property first harnessed by NASA in the 1960s. Mesple's creations, ranging from interactive installations to mesmerizing displays, showcase the fluid's beauty and the invisible forces at play. His journey involves overcoming technical challenges, such as building custom electromagnets and managing heat, to bring his artistic vision to life, inspiring wonder and curiosity about the intersection of art and science.

Takeaways

• 🌌 Eric Mesple, an artist, has been using ferrofluid in his artwork for over a decade, creating captivating sculptures that interact with magnetic fields.
• 🧲 Ferrofluid is a liquid containing nano-sized particles of iron that react dynamically to magnetic fields, producing unique visual effects.
• 🚀 Ferrofluid was initially developed by NASA in the 1960s to help manage rocket fuel in zero gravity, although it was never used for space flight.
• 🔧 Eric is a skilled metal worker and blacksmith, having learned the craft from his father at a young age, which laid the foundation for his later work with ferrofluid.
• 🎨 Eric's artwork with ferrofluid aims to not only engage viewers visually but also to make them feel connected and part of the art's creation process.
• 🛠️ His projects involve intricate engineering, such as building electromagnets and programming their movements to interact with the ferrofluid.
• 💡 One of Eric's creations, the Machine Affecting Effect, uses a magnet programmed to move in response to a viewer's presence, creating an interactive experience.
• 🖥️ Eric faced technical challenges, such as issues with pump systems used to circulate ferrofluid, leading to innovative solutions like the Ferroflection Pool.
• 🔥 He had to overcome problems with heat affecting magnet performance, developing a coolant system to maintain the magnets' effectiveness.
• 🎵 In his 2016 piece, Killing Time, Eric built his most powerful electromagnet yet, capable of lifting heavy weights, showcasing the potential of ferrofluid in art.
• 🔄 Eric's ongoing exploration with ferrofluid includes experimenting with light refraction, bending light through the movement of iron particles within the fluid.

Q & A

What is ferrofluid and how does it react to a magnetic field?

Ferrofluid is a liquid containing nano-sized particles of iron that react to a magnetic field, forming peaks and structures as the field changes.

Who developed ferrofluid and for what initial purpose?

Ferrofluid was developed by NASA in the early 1960s. Engineer Steve Papell created it to help draw rocket fuel into the engine in zero gravity.

How has artist Eric Mesple been using ferrofluid in his artwork?

Eric Mesple has been using ferrofluid to create sculptures that interact with magnetic fields, showcasing the fluid's captivating and alien-like properties.

What was Eric Mesple's first project using ferrofluid called, and what did it do?

Eric Mesple's first project was called 'Machine Affecting Effect.' It involved a large sphere with a magnet inside that would seemingly become attracted to a viewer who approached.

What challenges did Eric face when building his ferrofluid projects, and how did he overcome them?

Eric faced challenges with pump systems that would get clogged with ferrofluid and the heat generated by electromagnets. He overcame these by building his own electromagnets and developing a coolant system.

What is the 'Ferroflection Pool' and how does it work?

The 'Ferroflection Pool' is a project where Eric tipped a wall of ferrofluid into a pool, allowing the fluid to interact with electromagnets placed underneath, creating a mesmerizing display.

How did Eric program the movement of the magnet in his sculptures?

Eric taught himself how to code and used his programming skills to control the electromagnets, creating the illusion that the magnet was attracted to viewers.

What is the significance of the electromagnets in Eric's artwork, and how did he build them?

Electromagnets are crucial in Eric's artwork as they control the behavior of the ferrofluid. He built them by wrapping copper wire around a core and connecting it to a power source, similar to how a simple electromagnet is made in a science class.

What was the inspiration behind Eric's interactive wall of ferrofluid that mirrors the shape of the viewer?

The inspiration came from a pin toy where pushing a hand into it would make pins come out, creating a shape of the hand. Eric wanted to create a similar effect with ferrofluid, using electromagnets to form a real-time 8-bit representation of the viewer.

What is the 'Killing Time' piece, and what makes it special in Eric's body of work?

The 'Killing Time' piece is a sculpture that features Eric's strongest electromagnet to date, capable of lifting heavy objects like a small car. It represents a significant advancement in his work with ferrofluid and electromagnetism.

How does Eric's background in metalworking and blacksmithing influence his approach to creating art with ferrofluid?

Eric's background in metalworking and blacksmithing has given him a strong foundation in understanding materials and building techniques, which he applies to his innovative work with ferrofluid, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology.