Artist Pery Burge utilizes surface tension driven flows created with inks and water for much of her work. As mesmerizing as this is in still-life, it is more lovely still to see it develop and evolve in motion. The explosive outward motion of the ink is driven by the addition of a liquid with a lower surface tension than the ink/water mixtures. This is known as the Marangoni effect. You can observe it yourself using a plate of milk and food coloring into which you drop a tiny bit of dish soap. (The experiment works best with milk with some fat content.) Or, like the artist herself, you can experiment with other fluids you have on-hand! For more of Bruge’s work, see her website. (Video credit: Pery Bruge)
Inksplosion
