The Vision:
The Neuron Chamber intuitively communicates the form and function of brain cells called neurons. When active, neurons create our rich mental world by generating electrical impulses, called action potentials, which travel their length. The Neuron Chamber is a mysterious observation tank that invites participants to activate three organic neuron sculptures, each responding with visible electrical arcs that travel its length. In doing so, participants develop an intuition about how neurons work.

The Experience:
Blue arcs of electrical light, crackling within a mysteriously-technical, pentagonal chamber beckon you. Approaching this otherworldly yet nostalgic device, you know something within is alive and under study. Peering through the glass windows, you see three organic neuron sculptures, each clustered on one side, and possessing a long tendril extending the tank’s length. As you walk around the chamber, studying the neuron’s curves and textures, you watch the bright electrical arcs twist and flow horizontally down the neuron’s length. You come around to one of the chamber’s hemispheric ends to find a triangular control panel with three brightly lit buttons. You push one of the buttons, activating one of the neurons, and compelling it to generate beautiful azure arcs. Departing, you pause to study the display and learn how the electrical signals, similar to those you just generated, are used by neurons to generate all your thoughts, perceptions and feelings.

The Reality:
The Neuron Chamber is a custom-designed and fabricated steel and glass chamber housing three biologically-realistic, hand-forged steel and copper sculptures of neurons. Each neuron is embedded with an innovative device allowing electrical arcs, like those seen in Jacobs Ladders, to be pulled though complex curves in any orientation--unlike a Jacobs Ladder. Upon activation, a single arc is generated at a specific point within the body of the sculpture and then drawn down the sculpture’s length. Only when the arc reaches the end can another arc be generated. Each sculpture has its own arcing device, which is independently activated.

Alan, David, Ben andJo are long-time artistic collaborators and friends, and part of a vibrant and collaborative arts community focused on interactivity and kinetics, working out of West Oakland and San Francisco, California.

Alan Rorie is an artist and scientist. He received his Ph.D. in Neurobiology from Stanford University and is currently the post doctoral fellow at the Exploratorium, the museum of art, science and human perception, in San Francisco. Focusing on the intersection between science, art and education, Alan’s work communicates the intuitions that underlay scientific facts. His individual and collaborative works have been internationally shown at events as diverse as Lightwave at the Science Gallery, Maker Faire, Coachella Music Festival, the Crucible’s Fire Arts Festival, the Edwardian Ball and Burning Man. His art has been featured in the science journal Nature, the technology and culture publication Wired, and a wide array of blogs and web-pages. His scientific work has been published in Science and The Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience.

Benjamin Carpenter grew up in New England building cardboard forts and other contraptions with tools smuggled from his grandfather’s garage. Now he spends most of his time metalsmithing and pursuing his other creative interests. Earning a B.F.A. from the Maine College of Art in jewelry led him to explore the possibilities of larger scale metalwork and sculpture. He gained experience working for, and with, several artists and craftspeople on both coasts of the United States. He now lives in San Francisco where he exhibits his work nationally, runs Backbone Metals and completes work towards an M.F.A.

Jo Slota is a professional enabler. He has been helping people manifest their shop-related ambitions as a full-time occupation since 1996. With a Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture, his pursuits have taken root in several private, small-scale, custom fabrication shops as well as in multiple non-profit community-based arts institutions. Jo is a fabricator, educator and studio manager. He currently works for California College of the Arts as their San Francisco Studios Supervisor and spends his 'own time' collaborating with close friends on projects such as the Neuron Chamber.

David Shulman grew up playing amid the decaying industrial landscape of Flint Michigan, later escaping into the world as an agent and outfitter for wilderness and natural history expeditions. His wide-ranging travel, globally and in his own backyard, has taught him to appreciate the mechanical ingenuity of peoples around the world and throughout time. His own voice juxtaposes the simple elegance of functional design and the natural world. Collaborating with friends, David manifests these interests as a fabricator, welder, electrician and financial finagler on projects such as the Steampunk Tree House, the Comes Around Goes Around Carousel, the Neuron Chamber, the Dihemispheric Chronaether Agitator (aka the Time Machine) and the Lumbering Contraption. David lives in San Francisco, California.

Special thanks to: The Crucible, Don Hayler, CTP, Ryon Gesink, J9, Sean Orlando, Josh Glaser, Kelly Parkinson, Nathaniel Taylor, Scott and KiKi and everyone in the nameless collective.

The Neuron Chamber can always use donations to keep our supply of purple steel flowing.