69th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics (November 20, 2016 — November 22, 2016)

P0051: 3D prints of human speech

Authors
  • Stephen R. Johnston, The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Jessica B. Imgrund, The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Dan Fries, The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Antimodular Art Studio
  • Stephan Schulz, Antimodular Art Studio
  • Kyle C. Johnson, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, Auburn University
  • Johnathan T. Bolton, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, Auburn University
  • Christopher J. Clifford, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, Auburn University
  • Brian S. Thurow, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, Auburn University
  • Enrico Fonda, Physics Department, New York University
  • Katepalli R. Sreenivasan, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University
  • Devesh Ranjan, The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/APS.DFD.2016.GFM.P0051

In 1860, Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville recorded the song “Au claire de la lune” on the phonautograph, making the first recording of human speech. Here the phrase is depicted as a sculpture to be viewed, rather than heard. Breath exhaled from speaking is 3D scanned to form a solid, which is later printed. Words, phrases, and sounds become moving clouds of vapor, containing layers of complex folds and vortices. This piece is inspired by Charles Babbage’s theory that spoken words have an everlasting impact on the universe. The Atmospheric Memory work by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer is part of a series of collaborations between artists and scientists working within the Creative Turbulence project.

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