STREWN FIELDS

Scott Kildall (USA)

THE MILLS OBSERVATORY. PART OF THE GROUP EXHIBITION FUTURE ARTIFACTS
Glamis Road
Bulgy Park
DD2 2UB

A data-visualization of meteorite impact data etched into stone at different locations on the Earth. Using data provided by Peter Jenniskens at the SETI Institute, Kildall wrote custom algorithms that created files specific for a high-pressure waterjet cutting machine.

When a large asteroid enters the earth's atmosphere, it does so at a high velocity of approximately 30,000km/hour. Before impact, it breaks up into thousands of small fragments, which are meteorites. Usually when they hit our planet in the ocean or at remote locations. Only recently have scientists been able to use GPS technology to geolocate the spread patterns, called Strewn Fields.

Using this data, along with the mass of the meteorites, Kildall has transposed the patterns using custom algorithms into 2D space and programmed the waterjet machine — a high-pressure CNC water-cutting device to etch the data into stone. The waterjet reflects the kinetic energy of the asteroid and the stone is that of the Earth. Each stone is selected to match the type of rock found at that impact site on Earth.

Thanks to Leisure & Culture Dundee

About the Artist:

Scott Kildall (USA) is a cross-disciplinary artist who writes algorithms that transform various datasets into 3D sculptures and installations. The resulting artworks often invite public participation through direct interaction. His work has been exhibited internationally at venues including the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI), Transmediale, the Venice Biennale and the San Jose Museum of Art.

He has received fellowships, awards and residencies from organizations including Impakt Works, Autodesk, Recology San Francisco, Turbulence.org, Eyebeam Art + Technology Center, Kala Art Institute and The Banff Centre for the Arts.