Millefiori

Millefiori is the project name of one of Fabian Oefner’s vibrant artistic creations. The shapes of the images are only about the size of a thumbnail, created with the aid of a very peculiar oil-based material called ferrofluid. The unique property of ferrofluid is the result of millions of nano iron particles in it, and when put under a magnetic field, the particles in the solution start to rearrange itself due to the attraction and repulsion of iron. When water colours are added, the pop-art looking structures start to appear. As the two mediums do not mix but is held in position by the magnet beneath it, black channels are formed, with tiny ponds filled with rainbow coloured surfaces.

Fabian Oefner, who works and lives in Switzerland, is a curious investigator, photographer and artist, whose work moves between the fields of art and science. His images capture in unique and imaginative ways natural phenomena that appear in our daily lives, such as sound waves, centripetal forces, iridescence, or the unique properties of magnetic ferroliquids. Oefner’s photographs have been exhibited in various countries and are part of private collections around the globe.

Credit: Fabian Oefner