Embraced by swirls of ether. Atmospheric imagination and the representation of assimilation and effect

Departamento de Proyectos Arquitectónicos, Escuela Técnica de Arquitectura de Madrid, Universidad Politécnica, Av. Juan de Herrera, 4, 28040 Madrid, Spain

Abstract

Atmospheres have a diffuse, ungraspable nature that make them problematic to represent. Diverse artistic manifestations have relentlessly tried to grasp air infused with properties. Ether is the concept chosen to test the way the history of atmospheric representation was initiated; a cultural artefact whose representation permeates our present imaginary. Such substance has been the image of sensual assimilation, of psychological life and complex ambient effects. Before ambient was subject to technical representation, images of air within can be called ‘a state of animation’ opened up the ways of seeing and producing ambients. Several case studies are analysed as a useful vehicle for atmospheric representation. Two main strategies have been identified. The first one is the representation of chance, ambiguity and openness, the creation of conditions to let atmospheres leave its accidental traces. The second consists in the precise distribution in space of particles or discrete elements whose initial position is irritated by diverse agents. Both are still recognisable in our days.