This conceptual photography feature for January 2026 focuses on the natural phenomenon of shape memory. Shape memory occurs at the molecular and cellular level for example, to remember how to form and re-form, and how to make different patterns, responding to stimuli such as light and by extension even the “observer effect.” This is just another remarkable display of cosmic intelligence, and what a grandiose library of information and experience in motion.
Here, the central subject is a cellular shape. What is it actually? A regularly irregular looking splotch of coffee on my kitchen counter! One has to appreciate how nature makes sense of the regular and irregular in a complex ordered way; linking and folding, overlapping, branching, etc. There is always purpose, and often that is movement or dynamics.
Stylistically, this is a surreal yet realistic composite of original photography that conveys the crystalline with the new fallen snow and the ‘cellular,’ with the splash of coffee – the forms that water or others elements can take, and this amazing intrinsic property of shape memory.
From liquid, human tissue, minerals and crystals, to synthetic polymers – the substances of life have a shapeshifting intelligence of complex patterns. DNA is a one shining example of storing a vast amount of dynamic information in shapes & patterns.
Programmable shape memory alloys are becoming more common in engineering. One example is a car body material that is able to reform after the deformation of impact.
The most colorful art piece of the group is the layered orange/red/yellow “Shape Memory Alloy.” What may look like a bunch of splotchy shapes to the naked eye or even under a microscope, are complex molecules coming together to do extraordinary things.
The Shape Memory prints are available as high res framed canvas and more here on the site, as well as Saatchi Art (individual / personal / multipurpose) and TurningArt (business / commercial).