Page 12 - 05 - 2008

GESTATION DYNAMIC MECHANICAL OSCILLATIONS DURING METAMORPHOSIS OF THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY

05 NOVEMBER 2008 2008
BERMANT GALLERY
The mechanical oscillation of the
Gestation explored the tensions that heart is fundamental during insect
are implicit in social contracts metamorphosis, but it is unclear
between individuals and institutions, how morphological changes affect
and how these “agreements” form our its mechanical dynamics. Here, the
identity. micromechanical heartbeat with the
monarch chrysalis (Danaus plexippus)
Only a fine line separates nurture and during metamorphosis is compared
control. Rebeca Méndez saw the potato with the structural changes observed
as a metaphor for the human being through in vivo magnetic resonance
for several reasons: one, the potato imaging (MRI). We employ a novel ultra-
is the lowest common denominator of sensitive detection approach, optical
vegetables; two, as a basic staple beam deflection, in order to measure the
food, its consumption transcends social microscale motions of the pupae during
boundaries; three, the potato holds the course of metamorphosis. We observed
energy within, enough to power a radio; very distinct mechanical contractions
and four, its form resembles that of an occurring at regular intervals, which
organ. we ascribe to the mechanical function
of the heart organ. Motion was observed
“When I wrap the potato in latex, I to occur in approximately 15 minute
ward off the germs, as would a surgeon bursts of activity with frequencies
when exposing the interior of a human in the 0.4–1.0 Hz range separated by
body. I hold the object as I sew the periods of quiescence during the first
protective pouch and I feel like I’m 83 per cent of development. In the
nurturing it, but at the same time final stages, the beating was found
I’m confining the object within this to be uninterrupted until the adult
simulation of skin. When the potato monarch butterfly emerged. Distinct
hangs suspended from the thread, and stages of development were characterized
with the passing of time, disturbances by changes in frequency, amplitude,
in the clinical begin to germinate. As mechanical quality factor and de/
the latex either melts with the potato repolarization times of the mechanical
skin as it rots within the pouch, pulsing. The MRI revealed that the
or is stretched and punctured by the heart organ remains functionally intact
roots of a growing potato, the latex throughout metamorphosis but undergoes
sheath becomes an index of the often morphological changes that are reflected
indistinguishable gradations between in the mechanical oscillation.
artifice and nature, decay and life.”

~Rebeca Méndez

ARTIST ART+ACTIVISM COLLABORATION COMMUNITY EDUCATION LECTURE PUBLICATION RESEARCH RESIDENCY ROBOTICS MIXER SYMPOSIUM |||| ARTIST ART+ACTIVISM COLLABORATION COMMUNITY EDUCATION LECTURE PUBLICATION RESEARCH RESIDENCY ROBOTICS MIXER SYMPOSIUM ||||
|| SPRING SUMMER FALL WINTER ||||| 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 ||||| UCLA CNSI DMA BEYOND ||||| ||||| SPRING SUMMER FALL WINTER ||||| 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 ||||| UCLA CNSI DMA BEYOND ||