Beautiful and Eerie Photographs of Starlings in Flight
Photographer Richard Barnes captures the mesmerizing geometric patterns created by flocks of European starlings in his series “Murmur.” These abstract and haunting images offer a glimpse into the otherworldliness of animal life and the connection between nature and art.
The Science of Murmuration
Scientists are still fascinated by the phenomenon of murmuration, the unique formations created by flocks of starlings. While the exact reasons for this behavior are still unknown, predation avoidance is a leading theory. Researchers have used high-powered video analysis and computational modeling to study flock dynamics and have found that the flight patterns are best described by equations more commonly found in physics than biology.
Mathematical Analysis of Flock Dynamics
Mathematical analysis of flock dynamics reveals that each starling’s movement is influenced by every other starling, regardless of the size of the flock or the distance between individual birds. This interconnectedness creates a network-like structure within the flock, allowing for near-instantaneous transformation.
The closest mathematical fit to equations describing starling flock patterns comes from the literature of “criticality,” which studies systems poised on the brink of transformation. This suggests that starling flocks operate at a critical point, capable of rapid and unpredictable changes in behavior.
Barnes’s Artistic Interpretation
While scientists delve into the science of murmuration, Barnes’s photographs focus on its strange and haunting beauty. His images capture the flocks suspended against gray skies, creating an ethereal and otherworldly atmosphere. The photographs invite viewers to contemplate the connection between nature and art, revealing the beauty and mystery that can be found in the natural world.
Exhibition Details
The photographs from Barnes’s “Murmur” series, along with a second exhibit titled “Refuge,” are currently on display at New York’s Foley Gallery (97 Allen Street, Lower East Side) through February 23. Visitors can experience the mesmerizing beauty of starling murmurations and explore the intersection of nature and art in Barnes’s captivating images.
Additional Information
- Starlings are small, dark-colored birds known for their gregarious nature and complex social behaviors.
- Murmuration is a type of flocking behavior in which birds fly in tightly packed formations, creating dynamic and ever-changing patterns.
- Abstract art emphasizes the use of shapes, colors, and textures to create non-representational compositions.
- Pointillism is a painting technique that uses small dots of color to create an image.
- Computational modeling is a powerful tool used to simulate and analyze complex systems, such as flock dynamics.
- Criticality is a state in which a system is poised on the brink of a sudden and significant change.
- Animal life encompasses the vast diversity of organisms that inhabit the Earth, including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
- The connection between nature and art has been explored by artists throughout history, who have found inspiration and beauty in the natural world.
