Blue Morph @ the Science Gallery, Dublin

Blue Morph is an interactive installation in Science Gallery's upcoming MAGICAL MATERIALS exhibition that uses nanoscale images and sounds derived from the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly.

A collaboration between media artist Victoria Vesna and nanoscientist Jame Gimzewki, Blue Morph takes its name from the Blue Morpho butterfly, whose blue colour is not a result of pigmentation, but actually patterns and structures on a nanoscale. The extremely fine lamellated scale covering the Morpho's wings reflect incident light repeatedly at successive layers, leading to interference effects that depend on both the wavelength and the angle of observance. The interference of light due to multiple reflection within the highly uniform structural arrangement of the scale gives the butterfly its fantastic colour.

The new show MAGICAL MATERIALS launches with a members-only preview party at 6pm on September 14th at Science Gallery. If you would like to join us for a first glimpse at this collection of the world's most peculiar and spectacular materials, become a Science Gallery member today and your name will automatically be added to the guestlist.