Oscillon 520
Photograph
1960 (made)
1960 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This photograph was created by artist Ben Laposky in 1960. Laposky used an oscilloscope to manipulate electronic waves that were then displayed on a fluorescent screen. The waves would have been constantly moving and undulating on the screen, but there was no way of recording these movements on paper at this time. By photographing them, the artist was able to capture these images and record them for history.
Laposky photographed different combinations of these waves and called his images 'Oscillons'. The earliest photographs were black and white, but in later years the artist used a filter in order to produce striking colour images, such as this one.
Oscilloscopes are used in many different disciplines, including medicine, engineering and telecommunications. Laposky used an analogue oscilloscope, in which the electrical signal is recorded as a wave.
Laposky photographed different combinations of these waves and called his images 'Oscillons'. The earliest photographs were black and white, but in later years the artist used a filter in order to produce striking colour images, such as this one.
Oscilloscopes are used in many different disciplines, including medicine, engineering and telecommunications. Laposky used an analogue oscilloscope, in which the electrical signal is recorded as a wave.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Oscillon 520 (assigned by artist) |
Materials and techniques | C-type photographic print |
Brief description | C-type photographic print, 'Oscillon 520', by Ben Laposky, 1960. |
Physical description | Colour C-type photographic print of the electronic waves displayed on an oscillscope. |
Dimensions |
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Gallery label |
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Credit line | Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Patric Prince |
Summary | This photograph was created by artist Ben Laposky in 1960. Laposky used an oscilloscope to manipulate electronic waves that were then displayed on a fluorescent screen. The waves would have been constantly moving and undulating on the screen, but there was no way of recording these movements on paper at this time. By photographing them, the artist was able to capture these images and record them for history. Laposky photographed different combinations of these waves and called his images 'Oscillons'. The earliest photographs were black and white, but in later years the artist used a filter in order to produce striking colour images, such as this one. Oscilloscopes are used in many different disciplines, including medicine, engineering and telecommunications. Laposky used an analogue oscilloscope, in which the electrical signal is recorded as a wave. |
Collection | |
Accession number | E.1096-2008 |
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Record created | February 13, 2009 |
Record URL |
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