The Extension of Expansion

The Extension of Expansion is an immersive generative installation inspired by quantum physics, astrophysics, and spiritual traditions. Rooted in the quantum principle of complementarity, the project explores the idea that boundaries are fluid: we exist simultaneously as physical bodies and as fields of energy, reflecting ancestral views of universal interconnectedness. While at the human scale we perceive ourselves as separate bodies, defined by boundaries like skin, at the quantum level, these boundaries dissolve.

In close collaboration with Chilean astrophysicist Antonio Hales (ALMA Observatory), I translated spectral data from seven types of stars into real-time visual landscapes (using TouchDesigner) and evolving sound environments (with SuperCollider, in collaboration with Bruno Gola and Prof. Alberto de Campo, UDK Berlin). More than a data translation, The Extension of Expansion seeks to bridge science, art, and spirituality, offering an embodied experience of the cosmos as an interconnected, living system.

Stellar spectrograms serve as a metaphor for exploring complementarity, reflecting how light—whether through a prism or diffraction grating—reveals hidden properties of matter. This concept aligns with the project’s use of particles in TouchDesigner, where shapes constantly form and disintegrate. Both spectrograms and particles reflect the ever-changing nature of the universe and perception, intertwining cosmic and embodied realities into a continuous flow.

The installation rethinks perception, proposing the body as a sensitive tool for attuning to the natural world and expanding consciousness. In a world full of noise and information, it becomes a space to sense and experience inner and outer harmonies. By fostering curiosity, quietness, and presence, the work invites visitors to reconnect with their own flow of consciousness. To deepen this exploration, I collaborated with Trama Viva, a collective of women artists who use sound, movement, and embodied practices to investigate histories, bodies, and identities from a feminist perspective. Their approach informs the sonic dimension of the project, blending body, sound, and cosmic resonance.

Scientific Collaboration:
For this project, I collaborated with Dr. Antonio S. Hales, a Chilean astrophysicist at the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA).

Dr. Hales provided detailed stellar data, which formed the foundation of the project's audiovisual elements. He also offered essential guidance in interpreting and processing this data, ensuring its accurate transformation into visual representations

This work utilized the **MELCHIORS** library (*The Mercator Library of High Resolution Stellar Spectroscopy*), a comprehensive collection of high-resolution stellar spectra. Acces s the MELCHIORS library here: [MELCHIORS – Mercator Library](https://www.royer.se/melchiors.html)