Tusi-data / Seeing-as — Mariana Machado

Tusi-data / Seeing-as
2025

The Tusi couple is a mathematical device discovered by Nasir al-Din al-Tusi in the 13th century. In it, a small circle rotates inside a larger circle twice the diameter of the smaller circle. Rotations of the circles cause a point on the circumference of the smaller circle to oscillate back and forth in linear motion along a diameter of the larger circle. This phenomenon has become a reference in optical illusions and in association with Gestalt psychology, as it is possible to observe a circular movement if we consider the small circle in its entirety or a rectilinear movement if we consider only one point. Based on this mechanism, this movement is reappropriated and read by customized software that extracts information and sequences an algorithmic sound composition and a color pattern. The digital projection, composed of both the read phenomenon and the colored visual reading, is distributed across an iron sheet placed in such a way that its division is explicit, as if occurring on different planes. The computer belonging to the installation reads the phenomenon in real time and produces the sound and visual pattern in a generative way.

Audiovisual Installation
550x240x100cm

Zinc-coated Iron Sheet / 2 x Active Speakers / Laptop / Custom Software / Mixing Table/ Digital Projection / Concrete

Presented at Panorama 2025 at Escola das Artes - Universidade Católica Portuguesa

-> Screenshot of the display shown on the installation computer