Whirling was a series of four kinetic art works commissioned by the University of Chicago in 2013. Whirling 2017 is a further development of this well received exhibit.

Each of the eight pieces are 8 x 4 feet in size, suspended from the ceiling, and rotating at 3 rpm. The images consist of previous art works, transformed into neuronal profiles, interlaced with my own brain’s MRI structural images, and EEG (brain wave) thought tracings. Philosophic, literary and historic elements are included in each piece.

They are printed on semi-transparent polycarbonate. The surroundings and other viewers can be seen through them. Thus, the environment is incorporated into each piece, and into the full ensemble. 

In Whirling 2017, each piece consists of several separate vertical segments. When rotated, these separate sections produce a fanning motion.

The whirling rotation refers, in part, to a human social interaction, that of dance. From recent large-scale installation pieces, I have learned that indeed, it takes two to tango, and mirror neurons can do the swing.

The rotation also refers to the Mevlevi Sufi religious practices which are reflected in the mystical writings of Rumi. 

Finally, whirling refers to aspects of string theory where our universe may simply be a two-dimensional brane floating in multi-dimensional space. The use of neuronal brain images for this string theory brane, was intentional.