The perpetual puddle vortex draws in fluid and air, and instantly re-circulates it back in to the puddle, so the puddle never disappears. Underneath the puddle is a vortex generating device, this does not simply spin the puddle; the liquid drops down a hole only magically the puddle never reduces.

Over the day the puddle produces a continual array of ever changing patterns, in foam, or a thin layer of floating oil. The work changes according to temperature and moisture levels and light. Again the understanding of surface tension is essential to this work. The tabletop finish is highly hydrophobic, thus maintain the bead like edge of the puddle. The floor must be vibration free to avoid the puddle spilling off the table. The oils mixed in are a combination of volatile petroleum and mineral oil. The colours are created though diffraction, according to the thickness of the oil, and the thickness depends on the speed of the flow in the puddle, so the colours change as the fluid accelerates towards the center of the vortex

Perpetual Coffee Vortex.
Commissioned by Arnolfini, Bristol 2001, spaceX Exeter, 2001,
Thermo03,The Lowry,Manchester 2003.


Perpetual Coffee Vortex detail, Arnolfini, Bristol 2001

See also
Chemicals
Cymatics
Coffee
Fluids

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