USU Engineering Sponsors Traveling Exhibition, "Spiraling Upwards," at The Leonardo
Salt Lake City, UT — Utah State University’s College of Engineering is a proud sponsor of "Spiraling Upwards," a unique exhibition merging art and science through the beauty of fluid motion. This interactive exhibition, hosted by The Leonardo in Salt Lake City and the American Physical Society, invites visitors to explore the fluid dynamics. The exhibit brings an artistic lens to phenomena like air currents, waves and whirlpools that shape our environment. "Spiraling Upwards," will be on display through January 31, 2025.
Exhibition Details:
- Exhibition: Spiraling Upwards: A Traveling Gallery of Fluid Motion
- Location: The Leonardo Museum of Creativity and Innovation, Salt Lake City, UT
- Dates: November 8, 2024 – January 31, 2025
- Hours: Check museum website for hours and ticket information.
The 2021 entry "Effects of Wing-Induced Flow on the Odor Plume Structures in an Upwind Surging Flight of Monarch Butterfly" by Zhipeng Lou et. al, observes the wing movements of butterflies and the impact on surrounding air and scent distribution.
This exhibition marks the second in APS’s Traveling Gallery of Fluid Motion series, following the success of “Chaosmosis: Assigning Rhythm to the Turbulent” at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. Featuring over 25 artworks and installations, "Spiraling Upwards," draws inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci’s fascination with fluid motion and flight, connecting science, creativity and curiosity. The title suggests ascent and resilience, embodying an optimistic counterpoint to the phrase “downward spiral.”
Among the highlights are cloud visualizations, kite flights at the Mars Desert Research Station and da Vinci’s own sketches illustrating the mechanics of air currents and waves. Visitors are encouraged to engage with these pieces, deepening their understanding of how fluid dynamics shape our world. The exhibition reflects humanity's curiosity, exemplified by da Vinci, to bridge science and art in understanding nature’s intricate patterns. This exhibition invites audiences to view fluid dynamics not only as scientific phenomena but as a poetic dance that unites the human spirit with the natural world.
The 2023 entry “The hydrodynamics of marbling art” by Yue Sun shows the fluid dynamics and characteristics of the paint and water surface, highlighting the role of interfacial tension and negligible inertia in marbling art.
"Spiraling Upwards," opens just ahead of the 77th annual meeting of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics, where more than 2,800 scientists will gather at the Salt Palace Convention Center, November 24–26, to discuss research ranging from wind energy aerodynamics to ecological fluid mechanics.
This exhibition is made possible by the National Science Foundation, APS, and a network of local academic and industry partners, including USU, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University, Weber State University and Reaction Engineering International.
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For images and more information, please visit the Traveling Gallery Resources page or follow APS on Instagram at @chaos_osmosis for the latest updates.
Contact: Azar Panah, Exhibit Coordinator, azar.panah@gwu.edu, 202-994-4069
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About the American Physical Society: The American Physical Society works to advance and diffuse knowledge of physics through scientific research, outreach, and education. APS collaborates with international scientific communities and leads initiatives that bring science into public spaces, fostering a greater understanding of the physical world.
About The Leonardo: Located in the heart of Salt Lake City, The Leonardo is a modern museum that challenges visitors to think like the great artist and engineer, Leonardo Da Vinci. By blending exhibits, programs and experiences that highlight the connections between art, science and technology, The Leonardo encourages visitors to see the world from an entirely new perspective and to connect with what matters most. For more information, visit www.theleonardo.org External Link Icon .
About Utah State University: The College of Engineering at Utah State University is a leader in engineering education and research. We are home to the Utah Water Research Laboratory and the National Science Foundation-funded ASPIRE Engineering Research Center for sustainable electrified transportation. Each year, the college enrolls approximately 2,000 undergraduates and 300 graduate students from across Utah and around the globe. The college offers six ABET-accredited undergraduate degree programs and 15 graduate degree programs. For more, visit www.engineering.usu.edu.