Specimens in Suspension
Specimens in Suspension
Specimens in Suspension
A tactile optical interface for exploring kelp-forest ecology through resin lenses, light, and kaleidoscopic reflection.
A tactile optical interface for exploring kelp-forest ecology through resin lenses, light, and kaleidoscopic reflection.
A tactile optical interface for exploring kelp-forest ecology through resin lenses, light, and kaleidoscopic reflection.
Created in collaboration with Keeley Rideout
Created in collaboration with Keeley Rideout
Created in collaboration with Keeley Rideout
Role
Timeline
Interaction design
Material prototyping
Lens fabrication
Visual system refinement
Experience documentation
Exhibition design
Feb 2025 - May 2025
My Role
Timeline
Interaction design
Material prototyping
Lens fabrication
Visual system refinement
Experience documentation
Exhibition design
Feb 2025 - May 2025
Specimens in Suspension transforms coastal materials into an interactive viewing system. Keeley Rideout and I preserved seaweed, bull kelp, sea urchin spines, and beach-found carnelians, then composed them into three large resin lenses designed to capture and refract light.
The lenses sit on dowels at the end of a mirror kaleidoscope structure, where they can be spun and viewed through the housing. As viewers look through the kaleidoscope and shift their position around the lens, the collected materials move from recognizable specimens into repeated fields of color, branching, density, and texture.
The project asks viewers to stay with a specimen long enough for subtle differences to register. Rather than presenting seaweed as a flat display, the piece turns it into an optical and tactile encounter where light, angle, repetition, and duration change what becomes visible.
Specimens in Suspension transforms coastal materials into an interactive viewing system. Keeley Rideout and I preserved seaweed, bull kelp, sea urchin spines, and beach-found carnelians, then composed them into three large resin lenses designed to capture and refract light.
The lenses sit on dowels at the end of a mirror kaleidoscope structure, where they can be spun and viewed through the housing. As viewers look through the kaleidoscope and shift their position around the lens, the collected materials move from recognizable specimens into repeated fields of color, branching, density, and texture.
The project asks viewers to stay with a specimen long enough for subtle differences to register. Rather than presenting seaweed as a flat display, the piece turns it into an optical and tactile encounter where light, angle, repetition, and duration change what becomes visible.
Specimens in Suspension transforms coastal materials into an interactive viewing system. Keeley Rideout and I preserved seaweed, bull kelp, sea urchin spines, and beach-found carnelians, then composed them into three large resin lenses designed to capture and refract light.
The lenses sit on dowels at the end of a mirror kaleidoscope structure, where they can be spun and viewed through the housing. As viewers look through the kaleidoscope and shift their position around the lens, the collected materials move from recognizable specimens into repeated fields of color, branching, density, and texture.
The project asks viewers to stay with a specimen long enough for subtle differences to register. Rather than presenting seaweed as a flat display, the piece turns it into an optical and tactile encounter where light, angle, repetition, and duration change what becomes visible.
The Lens System
The Lens System
The Lens System
Each resin lens holds a different material composition, creating a distinct visual field when spun, backlit, and viewed through the kaleidoscope.
Each resin lens holds a different material composition, creating a distinct visual field when spun, backlit, and viewed through the kaleidoscope.
Each resin lens holds a different material composition, creating a distinct visual field when spun, backlit, and viewed through the kaleidoscope.
Pressed green seaweed, red sheet algae, dark branching fronds, and lace-like seaweed
This lens foregrounds translucency, branching, and color variation.
Pressed green seaweed, red sheet algae, dark branching fronds, and lace-like seaweed
This lens foregrounds translucency, branching, and color variation.
Sea urchin spines with a few small shell fragments
This lens turns small linear fragments into patterns of direction, density, and rhythm.
Sea urchin spines with a few small shell fragments
This lens turns small linear fragments into patterns of direction, density, and rhythm.
Pressed green seaweed, deep red sheet algae, dark branching fronds, and delicate lace-like seaweed
Bull kelp pods, stipe pieces, red algae fronds, dark branching seaweed, sea urchin spines, and carnelian fragments
This lens combines branching forms, mineral color, opacity, and suspended points of detail.
Bull kelp pods, stipe pieces, red algae fronds, dark branching seaweed, sea urchin spines, and carnelian fragments
This lens combines branching forms, mineral color, opacity, and suspended points of detail.
Pressed green seaweed, deep red sheet algae, dark branching fronds, and delicate lace-like seaweed
How the Viewing System Works
How the Viewing
System Works
How the Viewing System Works
Each resin lens holds a different material composition, creating a distinct visual field when spun, backlit, and viewed through
the kaleidoscope.
Each resin lens holds a different material composition, creating a distinct visual field when spun, backlit, and viewed through
the kaleidoscope.
Each resin lens holds a different material composition, creating a distinct visual field when spun, backlit, and viewed through the kaleidoscope.
Viewing end
Mirror housing
Dowel system
Tripod support
Tripod support
Spinning resin lens
Spinning resin lens
Spinning resin lens
Tripod support
Viewing end
Mirror housing
Dowel system
Tripod support
Tripod support
Spinning resin lens
Spinning resin lens
Spinning resin lens
Tripod support
Viewing end
Mirror housing
Dowel system
Tripod support
Tripod support
Spinning resin lens
Spinning resin lens
Spinning resin lens
Tripod support
Interaction Model
Interaction Model
Interaction Model
The experience unfolds through a simple sequence of looking, spinning, shifting position, and comparing what changes.
The experience unfolds through a simple sequence of looking, spinning, shifting position, and comparing what changes.
The experience unfolds through a simple sequence of looking, spinning, shifting position, and comparing what changes.
