Two normal and household objects together create a very interesting form of visualised physics, well househould if you happen to have a huge magnet in your drawer.
A CRT T.V. and and a big magnet are combined in one of Nam June Paik's Prepared Televisions to form an installation wherein the magnet is simply placed so that it distorts the image which is projected onto the screen of the CRT television. Old CRT televisions function and react this way because of they rely on electron beams in CR tubes are fired, normally they can represent a form of visual image in the form a broadcasted T.V. show. The impact of this simple convergence of objects is twofold: it visualizes the magnetic field of the magnet but it also uses a common source like a T.V. program as the basis for something that goes way beyond its intended purpose.
The distortions in the cathode ray tube finally lead to an image seemingly three dimensional and static, but when the magnet is moved, so does the distortion. In this way infinite patterns can be generated and he shows that this can also be done with electronic magnets, like demonstrated in the video below. The magnet, if held in one place long enough, can finally create such a distortion that electron beams cease to reach the end of the tube so create this deep ominous dark hole, resembling almost a black hole.
What I really like about this are a number of aspects. The idea that behind every household object there resides something of natural beauty, natural in the sense of the natural forces ofcouse. All of the objects around us are made to harness these forces and once combined in a new and interesting way, they can create beautiful results. Numerous ideas spring to mind as to how to combine contemporary household objects with others to create interesting results. Wireless chargers spring to mind for example, these are in essence magnetic coils with current running through them only to be received by a similar coil in devices. Installations can be tought of where lamps and other electrical tools and appliances are combined.
Another aspect I really admire is the simple interactivity an audience can have with the piece, it inspires to set up an installation so that it stimulates this organic interaction without any form of stimulant or tutorial. One visitor might enjoy the momentary beauty of the distortion on the screen while the other will endlessly fiddle with it to create a satisfying effect.
These free forms of interaction stimulate to create something that is to be equally enjoyed and played with by many.
It also sparks new ideas of applying magnetized cathode rays in larger spaces to create new forms of art, some maybe illuminated by neon gasses wherethrough the rays woul travel.
https://youtu.be/n8TJx8n9UsA?t=290 (serendipity video on Nam June Paik)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbzBTdU7iRU (MIT video on CRT TVs)