A domino effect is a series of events that are caused by one another. This term is usually used to describe a chain reaction that results from a single event, but it can also be used to describe the cumulative effects of several events occurring over a short period of time. The word is a variant of the English word domino, which is also used to refer to a game played with a set of small rectangular blocks.
Dominoes are typically made from a material such as wood or ivory with contrasting black or white pips (also known as dots). A domino is rectangular and can stand on its end. Each side of the domino has an identification mark, usually an arrangement of spots resembling those on dice. The pips on a domino are arranged in a number of sets, called suits, which are numbered from zero to six. The value of a domino is determined by its pips, and the highest-valued tile is referred to as a double.
The most common game of domino is played with a standard set of 28 domino tiles. When a player draws a domino, it is placed on the table facing one of its open ends. Depending on the rules of the game, this tile may be either the first or last to be played. The player who draws the heaviest domino plays it first, and subsequent players play their tiles in turn.
When the dominoes are arranged in a line, each domino should have its pips aligned with those of the next. This allows the players to connect their dominoes into a long sequence that can be moved around and used in various ways to win the game.
Hevesh, who has been creating domino art since the age of four, starts with a single domino and then creates an intricate design. She often works with a group of friends and family members to create large installations, which can take up to a year to complete. To create the perfect design, Hevesh carefully tests each section of the work in slow motion before putting it together.
While dominoes have inertia and resist movement when no outside force is applied, a tiny nudge can be enough to push them past their tipping point and cause them to fall. When a domino falls, it releases the potential energy that was stored within it, and the result is an impressive display of physics.
The best way to understand the Domino effect is to see it in action. Hevesh’s incredible creations are on display at her gallery in San Diego, but you can learn more about the artist and her process by watching her videos. She films each domino as it’s being built, and her tutorials are a great way to get inspired to create your own dominoes. You can even find an online tool to help you plan your own domino effect installation.
