Sphaeralogists Share

Hey Folks,

A couple of dedicated Sphaeralogists shared a few fun facts and fictions with us recently.  First off, Lorna L. sent us this picture of what we expect will become the Official I.S.S. Car.  That is if they ever make another one.

Around the same time, Charlene C. discovered a craft blog, The Idea Room with instructions on how to make your very OWN bouncy ball.  This one might interest you Sphaerents out there.

http://www.theidearoom.net/2009/07/make-bouncy-ball.html

Enjoy,

The Founders

Hypersphaera exsplendesco

Hypersphaera  exsplendesco

Glitter Superball

These sparkly balls vary in color and transparency, at times appearing either clear or translucent. Embedded within are iridescent pieces of colored mylar or paper that vary in size, color, and density.  Occasionally, the glitter can vary in shape (I.e, stars) or can be embedded along with other small objects, giving the balls a snow-globe like quality.

Photo Courtesy of Lenore M. Edman

www.evilmadscientist.com

Hypersphaera exsplendesco

by Henry J. Simonds

This specimen box was created for the exhibition, Requiem for the Super Ball®.  It is constructed of vintage, found, and repurposed materials.

Photo Courtesy of Steve Smith

© 2011

Hypersphaera exsplendesco, 2014

This specimen box by Henry J. Simonds was created for the exhibition, Bounce, a collaboration with the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh.  

Photo: © 2014 Henry J. Simonds/Headwater Media

"Requiem" Video Installation Output Tests #2

Here is another test clip.  This time we filmed the ball from the side and all the action can be seen within  the tank.

- The Founders

"Requiem" Video Installation Output Tests

Hey All,

Here is the first of the original test clips we output to assess compatibility of the video player device at Charles Bank Gallery.  

These shots capture Super Balls moving at 300+ mph and were filmed at 2800 fps with a Phantom Flex Hi-Def camera.

Enjoy,

The Founders

"Superball" by Aimee Mann

All you Sphaeralogists out there can likely relate to Miss Mann on this track from her album, "I'm With Stupid".   


"Superball":


I'm a superball
You can bounce me once and I ricochet
Around the room
I'm a superball
If I pick up speed get out of my way
I'm a sonic boom

And I warn you now
The velocity I'm gathering
Will knock you down
Send the chairs and lamps all scattering


'Cause I'm a superball
If you think there'll be no aftershocks
Well I'm a superball
Read the fine print on the back of the box
Stick to slinkies, hot wheels, alphabet blocks

And I warn you now
The velocity I'm gathering
Will knock you down
Send the chairs and lamps all scattering


- Aimee Mann


Thanks to Karen S. for remind us of this.


- The Founders

I.S.S. in the Realworld/Some Sphere Theory

Forgive the grab bag of things presented today, but these two very different Sphaeralogical issues came to us at around the same time.  Interestingly, they both were sent in by our friend John R., a dedicated Sphaeralogist.

The first is a series of links that present the theory of Poincaré's conjecture.  A complex mathematical theorem that helps to discribe spheres in 3-dimesional space.  At least that's how the small minds at the I.S.S. understood it.  Feel free to explore for yourself:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poincaré_conjecture
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/314/5807/1848.full

The second was an I.S.S. in the Real World sighting of our friend Chris, wearing his Galaxy Tee proudly at the fine establishment, Cappy's, in Pittsburgh, PA.

Both great Super Ball moments.

- The Founder


PS - Here's proof that the Super Ball is here to stay.  A 25¢ Bouncy Ball dispenser at a discount grocer in Fox Chapel, PA

s

British Airways/OneWorld Art Rotation Program

Selected works from the exhibition, Requiem for the Super Ball®, will be included in the current rotation of art work exhibited in the corporate offices of British Airways at 2 Park Avenue in New York City.  This cycle will be up for 4 to 5 months and can be seen by employees and guests of the airlines of Oneworld - British Airways, American Airlines, Qantas, Iberia, Finnair, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and others.


- The Founders