feral / fluid
bass clarinet duet
2019
Commissioned by Katie Rice and Shiana Montanari
Ferrofluid is a mysterious and fascinating colloidal liquid made of nanoscale ferromagnetic particles, originally developed by NASA as a way to draw rocket fuel into a pump in a weightless environment. When exposed to a strong magnet, a pool of ferrofluid will form itself into a gravity-defying mound of characteristic uniform spikes. feral / fluid was inspired by the extra-terrestrial appearance and behavior of this interesting substance and by the steady hum created by the sort of electromagnets that might bring ferrofluid to life.