Efflux

This dynamic installation explores the relationship between the inherent energy of matter and its objecthood in human perception. Using unremarkable stones as primary carriers, the work reveals hidden, living magnetic field variations when the stones are cut open, producing distinct visual and sonic responses. Each stone exhibits a unique energy, resonating together to form an overall field. The piece highlights matter’s vitality and agency, prompting a reevaluation of the connection between objects and humans. The magnetic field functions as an invisible force, both natural and cultural. It governs physical phenomena like Earth’s magnetism and electricity while also shaping unconscious perceptions within ideological structures. By employing the magnetic field as a medium, this work animates the stone beyond passive objecthood, constructing a new framework for the human-matter relationship. A special colloidal material composed of nickel and its oxides allows the magnetic field’s intensity and direction to become visible through dynamic color variations. Electromagnets, coils, and custom iron cores shape and control these magnetic field patterns on the stone’s surface. Sound emerges naturally from the iron core’s vibrations and resonance with the stones, without artificial audio components. For precise magnetic control, a PCB circuit based on an AIR001 microcontroller modulates the field via PWM waves, embedded within the stones. The project has two origins. One stems from my exploration of programmable magnetic fields as an artistic medium and their sensory impact. The other arises from subconscious inspiration—my work is deeply rooted in material experience and research on new materialism. A pivotal moment came in a dream featuring a "gambling stone" (a Chinese jadeite trading practice), where an ordinary stone was cut open, revealing a complex, living energy field. This vision inspired the creation of the work.