![]() ![]() People are afraid of what they cannot see. UNSEEN TERROR: THE BOMB AND OTHER BOGEYMEN As the quantum theorist Schrodinger said: iIf these ideas don’t disturb you, then you have not understood themi and accordingly, the icommon sensei notions of what constitutes irealityi have come into question. ![]() Suddenly human certainty about the way the world worked was swept away and in its place stood a set of propositions that caused grave discomfort to those who understood their implications. Instead we learned of the existence of a shadowy microphysical world of almost imperceptible particles that behaved as quixotically as the characters in Alice in Wonderland. Thus, the central premise of the artwork being constructed for iPluto’s Cavei is that with the rise of quantum physics in the 1920’s and 30’s we had a shocking revelation n the world was not constructed in the safe predictable manner that 19th century physicists thought is was. You might ask towards what end is all of this effort directed? Simply put, it is our aim to make the viewer question the very basis for their icommon sensei assumptions about the reality of the physical world n basic assumptions like the materiality of matter, the reality of local space and time, and many, many others. In addition deploy a vast array of other instruments and machines, such as a small radio-telescope that detects various otherwise invisible physical phenomena. ![]() The second major device is a ispark chamberi that makes visible the tracks of the high-energy cosmic rays that continuously bombard the earth from space. In effect we are the first team of artists to ever accomplish this dramatic feat (even though, as you are well aware, it is now routinely accomplished by scientists). This machine produces a particle beam that, when it impacts the foil target at its focus, actually splits the atom n the effects of which are made visible in a cloud chamber (or at least recorded by our instruments). The first and most formidable of these is a linear electron accelerator powered by two 400,000 electron volt Van de Graaff generators (in effect a fully functional ibaby atom smasheri) that, along with one of Reizenstein’s signature tree sculptures, is the centerpiece of this exhibition. Towards this aim we have constructed actual instruments that will afford a glimpse of the microphysical world. Accordingly n at least part of n this exhibition endeavors to imake visible the invisible.i We deliberately confuse the philosopher with the Greek god of the underworld because like his dark realm, the microphysical realm is invisible to us mere mortals. Shortly after his discovery of the X-Ray, Roentgen was asked: iCan the invisible be made visible?i His revealing reply was: iNot to the naked eye.i This is a core element of our exhibition n and hence its title iPluto’s Cave.i The title, plays off of the famous scene of the cave in Plato’s iRepublici wherein he outlines a challengingly abstract epistemological theory. It’s a scene that has to be seen to believe. Upon being unleashed into this surreal atmosphere, the group of voyeurs seemed to be curious and hesitant at the same time. The mood was set thanks to mad scientists, atom-smashers, bizarre unidentifiable noises, flashing lights, Jacob’s Ladders, and a foreign diplomatic hostess who ran around with a little white flag discussing ‘things’ with the scientists. Each installation is a conversation piece that looks like a b movie and the Buffalo Science Museum collided at some point. This show is perfect for a date, or to bring the kids to. ![]() The show kicked off last night to a large reception of curiosity seekers. It really is a fascinating visual experience. Pluto’s Cave is currently on exhibit at the Big Orbit Gallery. ![]()
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