The Midas project investigates the trans-mediational space between skin and gold. Research for the project was conducted through the analysis of data recorded with an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). The AFM, in its force spectroscopy mode, gathers data by picking up the surface vibrations as the cantilever touches the cell. The Midas project culminated in an installation that included data projection and audio work utilizing subsonic speakers to make the data from the atomic vibrations audible and palpable.

Issue Section:
Artist's Article
This content is only available as a PDF.
© 2009 Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2009

Supplementary data

Midas

Extract of a 10-minute video of the Midas installation. The Midas project uses the skin cell as a visual metaphor for exploring the deterritorialized and reterritorialized nanobiological body. In the installation semi-autonomous self-organizing nanobots affect the Atomic Force Microscope’s imaging of the skin cell transmuting it into gold. (© 2009 Paul Thomas)

- mov file
You do not currently have access to this content.