Moiré Pattern Series

In physics and mathematics, a Moiré pattern is the interference pattern resulting from overlaying two similar but slightly different gratings. With regular gratings, these interference patterns can be quite boring, but if we bend, stretch and distort the gratings, the resulting patterns can become really engaging and evocative.

What interests me most about Moiré patterns is their emergent nature – that combining two plain, flat patterns can result in such fluid, dynamic and almost sculptural shapes and curves.

A classic Moiré pattern contains only two or three colours – two gratings of the same or different solid colours, and a uniformly coloured background (see Vibrant Moiré and Verdant Moiré below). Any apparent shading and blending are purely due to the Moiré effect. However, this effect can be enhanced by subtly varying the background colour to emphasise the emergent forms (see Fishy Animal Print Moiré and Holey Moiré below).