Event Blog: Discovery Cube OC

Through the lecture material and the scholarly articles, this class has taught me that art can be really complex; but visiting the Discovery Cube in Orange County reminded me that art can also be really simple. Bubble artist, Deni Yang was able to transform a simple childhood toy into a wonderfully artistic performance.

Bubblefest is a special event hosted by the Discovery Cube only once a year to amaze and educate attendees about the science behind the art. Mr. Yang uses lasers and a special bubble tonic in his show to enhance the experience. He goes on to explain that his “bubble tonic” is just water because in order to sustain a bubble, the air must be moist. To construct art through bubbles, one must understand the chemistry associated with them.

Bubbles can be big or small but almost always are circular in shape in order to minimize surface area. The air filled soap balls may be formed with various gases such as hydrogen, methane, or even smoke as seen in Deni Yang’s white bubbles. Altering the soapy formula will make the bubbles last longer, float higher, glow, or sometimes even be resistant to popping so you can hold it.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ezVgWOS3-nB8vCxBmyKAyaltz1Vd1gphmqyZ9QMEsy8WnDGGM6QB0Z6ooYaT7AipJogVLOjR3wFqP0YAMtQF6XpW0qCPWdi2HGkSCpoYBmMyACKnVQCcfsdra8EKbbt1GtPjZyUQlmo/s1600/gazillion+bubbles.jpg

An artist does not need to perform an elaborate show to use bubbles creatively. Jiří Georg Dokoupil is a Czech artist that mixes dyes with soap to paint with bubbles. Every painting is completely unique and each bubble forms a special pattern when it pops. When mixing art and scientific concepts, the possibilities are endless. 

http://032c.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSS3286_x.jpg?b64edd

http://www.artcritical.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/5f3a726978b1c2dabf73aa5a5975a5a0.jpg

Sources

Campbell-Dollaghan, Kelsey. "The Spectacular Art of Painting With Soap Bubbles ." Gizmodo. KINJA, 12 Jan. 2015. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://gizmodo.com/the-spectacular-art-of-painting-with-soap-bubbles-1678907019>.

Gray, Theodore. "Blowing (Up) Hydrogen Bubbles." Popular Science. N.p., 19 Feb. 2009. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2009-02/blowing-hydrogen-bubbles>.

Helmenstine, Anne M., Ph. "Bubbles That Don't Pop - Unbreakable Bubble Recipe." About Education. About.com, 27 Nov. 2014. Web. 09 May 2015 <http://chemistry.about.com/od/bubbles/a/Bubbles-That-Dont-Pop.htm>.

Helmenstine, Anne M., PhD. "Bubble Science - Learn How Bubbles Work." About Education. About.com, 10 Feb. 2015. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://chemistry.about.com/od/bubbles/a/bubblescience.htm>.

Landau, Joel. "Taiwanese Artist Creates Beautiful Art with Bubbles." NY Daily News. New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2015. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/watch-taiwanese-artist-creates-beautiful-art-bubbles-article-1.2145792>.

"Meet the Artists." Gazillion Bubble Show! N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://gazillionbubbleshow.com/artists.php#deni>.

"Methane Bubbles." UW Dept. of Chemistry. University of Washington, 24 Aug. 2012. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://depts.washington.edu/chem/facilserv/lecturedemo/MethaneBubbles-UWDept.ofChemistry.html>.