Thermal Tapestries

Medium: custom Schlieren optical system, concave mirrors, point light source, knife edge, heating elements, airflow control, computational modulation, projection

Thermal Tapestries is an ongoing research-creation project that visualizes invisible thermodynamic and acoustic phenomena using a custom-built Schlieren optical system. Through precisely aligned concave mirrors, point light sources, and knife-edge filtering, the installation renders temperature gradients, convection currents, ultrasonic interference, and micro- turbulence visible as dynamic fields of light. These emergent forms are shaped through controlled thermal sources, ultrasonic emitters, and computational modulation systems, transforming scientific imaging into a performative visual instrument.

Nima Navab — concept, optical system design, fabrication, programming, composition