The Physarum Experiments: various studies 2009-2018 Artist, Heather Barnett, works with the slime mould, Physarum polycephalum, as material, model and metaphor, investigating the organism’s navigational abilities and seemingly intelligent behaviours. For a single-celled organism without a single neuron to its name, this yellow amoeboid blob can solve complex problems, transfer learning and anticipate events. It is also quite beautiful, the dendritic growth patterns reminiscent of forms seen at varying scales in nature, from blood vessels to tree branches, from river deltas to lightening strikes. Barnett’s films, studies, installations and participatory experiments work with the underlying mechanisms that enable this simple organism to make complex decisions. Her artworks are the product of a negotiation over creative control and authorship with one of the earliest forms of life, and invite us to question our definitions of agency and intelligence across scales. Featuring: Study No. 022: Starvation Fireworks Study No. 019: The Maze (homage to a classic experiment) Study No. 026: Intraspecies Fusion Sound by Graham Barton
Films, studies and other experiments from my varied attempts to co-creative with the slime mould, Physarum polycephalum
A collection of works involving immersive projection, audio visual installation, and virtual reality experiences.

The Realm Trailer

Heather Barnett
2.8K views6 years ago
Crowd Control connects art, science, law and urban design in an interdisciplinary study of the control mechanisms that affect human behaviour - exploring how groups move together, transfer information, make decisions and respond to change. Based at arebyte gallery, Hackney Wick during July 2017 a team of researchers and practitioners are running experiments, interventions and experiences exploring the interactions between individuals, groups and their environments. See: http://crowdcontrol.london for info

Crowd Control: Animal Collectives

Heather Barnett
566 views7 years ago

Crowd Control: Nesting Groups

Heather Barnett
323 views7 years ago

Crowd Control: Escaping the Lawscape

Heather Barnett
340 views7 years ago

Crowd Control: Migrations of Cool

Heather Barnett
287 views7 years ago

Crowd Control Observation: The Last leg

Heather Barnett
142 views7 years ago

Data animations

Heather Barnett
338 views10 years ago

L'Autre Pied Animation Test

Heather Barnett
320 views10 years ago

Microscopy Test

Heather Barnett
269 views10 years ago

Plating Out

Heather Barnett
298 views10 years ago
Animations and poems by Heather Barnett and Will Holloway, from the Small Worlds exhibition at The Museum of the History of Science, Oxford, Oct 2007 - April 2008.

The Great Pedanto

Heather Barnett
724 views16 years ago

The Voice of Scale

Heather Barnett
435 views16 years ago