The Planet Spins Despite Me Stopping, 2018 – Studio Olafur Eliasson

A three-dimensional spiral in stainless steel. Though static, the curvature and twist of the spiral produce a strong sense of rotation, as the viewer moves around the form. The form is defined by a parametric spiral-a curve that winds around an axis while simultaneously moving along the axis. The exact parameters set the pitch of the spiral and establish the apparent direction of spin. The title refers to the contrast between the fixed nature of the object, and the implied motion of a rotating planet.

Research:
The spiral was modeled parametrically: one parameter controls the rate of rotation around the axis, another the rate of advance along the axis. The equation produces a smooth 3D curve that was then given thickness for fabrication. The study compared different parameter sets for the strength of the rotational illusion when viewed from different angles, and for structural stability in stainless steel at the chosen scale.