Between Worlds
Through conversation with scientist working in the area of Physics and Imaging, I learned about the process of discovering exoplanets through a method called Gravitational Microlensing. This exploits a phenomenon that occurs when a massive sun comes into the path between Earth and another sun. This causes the light passing through to bend and distort, allowing us to discover information about orbiting planets behind it. Fascinated with the idea of this light distortion, I began a series of experiments using photography and video that would allow me to explore this idea. Using a small glass bottle and a macro lens, I created an initial series of photographs.
I had the opportunity to spend some time exploring a Museum Collections resource, and while I was there I came across a fascinating object called a pyrheliometer. This is a scientific instrument for measuring the intensity and duration of sunlight, consisting of a glass sphere held in a brass and plastic casing. I thought there was an interesting connection between this basic instrument for measuring our own Sun and our attempts to measure light from stars that are galaxies away. Using this device to expand on my previous experiments, I placed some of the earlier photographs inside it and photographed them through the object.
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The resulting images are ones that blur the lines between macro and micro, discs of colour and shape that could easily be representative of a petri dish or a view through a microscope, creating an uncertainty that is mirrored in our own existence and knowledge about the Universe.
