Self Reflected

the most complex artistic rendition
of the human brain in the world

Self Reflected is your brain perceiving itself

Dr. Greg Dunn (artist and neuroscientist) and Dr. Brian Edwards (artist and applied physicist) created Self Reflected to elucidate the nature of human consciousness, bridging the connection between the mysterious three pound macroscopic brain and the microscopic behavior of neurons. Self Reflected offers an unprecedented insight of the brain into itself, revealing through a technique called reflective microetching the enormous scope of beautiful and delicately balanced neural choreographies designed to reflect what is occurring in our own minds as we observe this work of art. Self Reflected was created to remind us that the most marvelous machine in the known universe is at the core of our being and is the root of our shared humanity.

Video by Will Drinker, Music by David Haldeman

On exhibit at The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia.

You can find detailed information on the Franklin Institute website here.

More info and an extensive webpage about the work coming soon!

Fast Facts:

  • Depicts a sagittal slice of the human brain at 22X scale, full dimensions 96” X 130”, made of 25 etched plates and required two years to complete.
  • Contains the circuit dynamics of around 500,000 neurons through a hyperprecise etching technique capable of yielding animations from reflected light, depicts 500 microseconds of “brain time.”
  • Hand gilded with 1,750 sheets of 22K gold leaf
  • The appearance of Self Reflected is wholly dependent on its lighting, meaning that it can be displayed in animation or colored light.
  • Installed with a programmable light array with 144 independently controllable LED fixtures
  • Is made with a combination of hand drawing, adapted neuroscientific data, algorithmic simulation of neural circuitry, photolithography, strategic lighting design, and gilding.
  • The first version of Self Reflected is on permanent exhibition at the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA. Additional versions are capable of being produced for exhibition and sale.

Prints, microetchings and other artwork from Self Reflected will be available for sale in the coming months.
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