Dark Matter

Dark Matter is a large-scare kinetic sculpture made in collaboration with astrophysicist Jo Verwohlt. It was part of our exhibition Interference in Nikolaj Kunsthal February-May 2023.

Dark Matter is a large-scale kinetic sculpture and composition in three dimensions; frequency, time, and rotation speed. It consists of two loudspeakers on a rotating wheel. The movement of the loudspeakers shifts the frequency of the sound depending on whether the loudspeaker is moving toward you or away from you. 

This is also known as the Doppler effect. The sounds incorporated into this sculpture are samples taken from Nikolaj Kunsthal's own church organ, paying tribute to the space in which the sculpture is exhibited. Standing at a height of 2.5 meters, the sculpture allows the audience to immerse themselves beneath it, for the full experience of the Doppler effect. 

The title refers to the yet unknown mass in the universe called Dark Matter. Dark matter cannot be observed but only measured in how it affects the weight of a galaxy. By measuring how fast stars move in galaxies, astronomers measure how much dark matter there is in the galaxy. Dark matter influences how fast a galaxy rotates.

Best to be listened to on good quality headphones or loudspeakers

Photos without audience by David Stjernholm and with audience by Mads Holm.