ENGLiSH

present a project by NiL DRALOSCONA

C Y M A T i C

WATER . SOUND . LiGHT

Photograph of the reflection of light on the surface of water in vibration.

Cymatics is the study of the geometric structures formed by the vibrations of acoustic waves.

Understanding the Photographic Results

The main shape in the image — whether a circle, a square, or another geometry — simply corresponds to the container in which the liquid is vibrating.

The captured color mainly comes from the lighting positioned above the vessel, but also from optical phenomena such as light diffraction or chromatic aberrations caused by the liquid’s deformations in motion.

What we observe is merely the reflection of light on the fluid’s surface.

The structures and colors visible in the photographs are entirely true to reality: no graphic alteration has been made. Only basic edits — adjusting brightness, contrast, and saturation — have been applied to ensure high-quality prints.

The prototypes are co-produced by

NiL Draloscona and Dorian Picard.

History

ORiGiN

The CYMATIC project was born in 2019 from a fascination with the geometry of the world: the patterns that repeat in nature, in plants, in living forms, the human body, and the cosmos. This fascination led artist NiL Draloscona to take an interest in experiments by Ernst Chladni and Hans Jenny, which revealed the geometry of sound through vibrations in matter. Rather than simply drawing inspiration, he wanted to see with his own eyes whether these phenomena were truly observable. He enlisted Dorian Picard to begin the research and create the first prototypes.

EXPERiMENTATiON

Since the first trials, the apparatus has continually evolved. Each version raises new challenges and brings improvements: balance of vibrational forces, precision of photographic rendering, complexity of lighting, stability of the liquid surface. They tested different shapes of bowls, including complex nested geometries. Eventually, the circle and the square stood out as the most fertile: the square for its direct, balanced structure; the circle for its continuity without angles, allowing a great diversity of patterns. Various liquids were also experimented with (inks, oils, alcohols, etc.), but water became the reference material: light, transparent, reactive, capturing several layers of depth in a single image. The choice is also symbolic: water is a fundamental element of life.

They also discovered that the volume of water and the size of the bowl are essential: too little liquid and the waves hit the bottom; too much and the surface tension is lost. Finding the right balance became a crucial step in setting up the system.

EXHiBiTiONS

In 2024, an exhibition was realized. The first demonstrations took place in Montpellier, France, organized by Synanta Studio. A selection of 29 images was presented, unframed and without glass, face-mounted on aluminum in sizes from 30 to 80 cm. Once hung, the works seem to float in levitation in front of the wall, enhancing their hypnotic effect.

IMPACT

During public demonstrations, visitors experience the phenomenon live. Reactions are positive: amazement at the complexity of the forms and also an awareness of a deep connection between vibration, light, matter, and the living. The bridge between art and science formed by the installation — this intuitive return to something fundamental — invites us to rethink our relationship with the elements, natural harmony, and the invisible part of the world around us.

PRODUCTiON

Since 2019, hundreds of images have been captured. Yet very few are public. This deliberate choice stems from an artistic stance: it is not a question of producing in excess or responding to a commercial logic, but of supporting each technical advance with a new cycle of shooting. With each evolution of the apparatus, a limited number of photographs are produced, rigorously selected, and only a few pieces are revealed.

REALiZATiON

Realizing the image requires a series of steps, each involving rigorous technical expertise. From the outset, NiL chose to work with a team of passionate craftsmen capable of meeting the project’s aesthetic and physical demands. Nothing is left to chance, from color calibration to framing. The choice of ultra-glossy paper, meant to convey the sensation of the water’s surface, combined with the absence of glass to offer direct, unfiltered viewing, poses real challenges for large formats. Through persistence and willpower, the image finds its final form. Far more than a simple print, each work is a unique piece, marked by the subtleties of its production — the result of close collaboration between artists and artisans.

PRESENT

The device continues to evolve; each photo session opens new avenues for improvement. A selection of prints is visible in Switzerland at Daryoush Assadi.

S Y N A N T A . S T U D i O @ G M A i L . C O M

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