Solid/Liquid/Gas

Mill Run, Pennyslvania — 16–21 November 2024

The only constant in life is change. Life's changes in state reveal the underlying principles of matter and energy — the progression of a seed to harvest; sketch to product; draft to essay; hum to composition. Changes of state are by nature examples of transformation and entropy. As summer's maximum biological productivity draws to a close, autumn will bring cooler temperatures and shortening days. Leaves will fall, plants prepare for dormancy and animals grow increasingly still. Entropy lowers as systems conserve and rest.

Entropy measures disorder and randomness; in the context of climate and seasonal change, entropy can be seen in patterns of weather, degradation of ecosystems, and transitions through seasons. As early winter sets in, we will witness a palpable shift in our surroundings—trees shedding their leaves, temperatures dropping, and landscapes transforming.

Solid/Liquid/Gas will explore and respond to these transformations, encouraging participants to reflect on and interpret the increasing unpredictability of our environment. We invite participants to delve into the liminal space between the natural world and their own creative research, exploring the potential that lies at the intersection of the two. As water transitions between solid, liquid, and gas states in response to its environment, participants will be encouraged to embrace change and adapt to the people and ideas around them. How does entropy manifest in beauty and chaos and how can design respond to and interact with these changing conditions?