Barry Tolnas (Seattle, WA)
Belousov-Zhabotinksy Redux, 2007
Software installation

Boris Belousov discovered a chemical reaction in 1951 that would actually oscillate back and forth. One group of chemicals would react to form a second group, which would then react with each other to form the original chemicals. When the reaction occurs in a thin film of liquid, the different groups of chemicals at different stages of the reaction form waves and spirals of color simulated in this art piece. In a classic case of human arrogance standing in the way of scientific objectivity, the scientific community ignored Belousov’s discovery and would not publish his work because they believed such an oscillating reaction was impossible and violated the laws of thermodynamics. Finally, ten years later a graduate student named Zhabotinksy discovered the same unusual effect and eventually the new phenomenon was accepted by the scientific community.

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