Refraction Studies is an exploration of analog, audio-visual effects created through the interplay of light, water, and sound. A laser projector shines moving imagery onto a tray of water, reflecting and distorting the projection onto an angled surface. A small piece of refraction paper, placed on the water’s surface, further alters the image, creating fluid, organic patterns that shift in real time.

The installation is placed atop a Bluetooth speaker, where sound vibrations ripple through the water, introducing a haptic dimension to the visuals. The system’s dynamic nature allows for immediate transformation—adjusting or removing any single layer (light, refraction, or sound) alters the composition, revealing the delicate architecture of the experiment.

Materials:

• Laser projector for light input
• Water tray as a reflective and reactive medium
• Refraction paper for image distortion
• Bluetooth speaker for sound-based haptic vibrations
• Angled paper surface for projection display

Refraction Studies examines physical nodular systems, where material interactions generate unpredictable yet cohesive outcomes. The work explores the ephemeral beauty of distortion and vibration, showcasing the interplay between light, sound, and water as a living, dynamic medium.

Created in collaboration with Arbor Chou and Hike Danakian.