We never stop toiling with new forms of consciousness. When we are young our opportunities are limited. We walk around the world wide-eyed, eager to investigate anything and everything. This small experiment pays homage to those first moments spent exploring that truly fucked up feeling we all know so well; spinning around and around and around and around.
What happens to a still life when you turn in a circle for a progressive amount of spins, and redraw it? It doesn’t require much thought. The plan reveals itself as simple enough, providing that you are willing to subject yourself to potential nausea.
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/cant-sit-still-life.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=920&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=9f85e3289ceb4b805f5ca9ab0dd7f3d3 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/cant-sit-still-life.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1840&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=d96606fa49f623f7ff76171ee885d55d 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/cant-sit-still-life.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=760&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=22b2dd9db5bc1cec57f8481f69f40319 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/cant-sit-still-life.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1521&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=d09f3a6af1c052b194047cd93a0b0a13 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/cant-sit-still-life.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=588&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=bc04d37fdf97957d8cf00317fcf1a8a1 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/cant-sit-still-life.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1177&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=8eb24fb13b8edc395af844a0785d9af6 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/cant-sit-still-life.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=441&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=9cb47bb03ad24bae4276e9feb6b27826 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/cant-sit-still-life.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=883&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=3290610a74342a234ed4b27a7563025e 1152w)
🌚 An assumption.
The drawings will get worse over time. It will become harder to draw and therefore the drawing will degrade.
Arrange your objects. Set your table with something to draw on, leaving yourself as many sheets as rounds you’d like to attempt. Set out something to draw with, and a timer. This experiment used three minutes per round. This provided a few moments to regain some sense of bearing but not enough to fully cease the room moving. It is advisable to lay out your supplies prior to beginning, as you might expect it becomes harder over time to locate them.
round and round we go round and round we go
Zero Spins
Uptight. Trying to capture as many details as possible. All objects accounted for with the exception of the bread tag, which mysteriously disappears from the still life drawings from the second they begin.
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/0-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=48925f3402110a2af1736b2f13613a74 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/0-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1600&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=4f1141dfa454239b75d5e8d5f6b45f6d 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/0-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=661&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=7fe907381ca6852e0c51a3d8fae9c46f 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/0-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1322&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=584b6b83b45e67ee3f3455022113e2ef 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/0-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=2cb10925a79bfb03bcf0ab7f65e71758 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/0-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=54d5a5cf44338ceb1d3bde488c79b8ab 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/0-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=384&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=4bfbdccb85a885d28ffd142c8dc18e7d 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/0-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=ab5c4526a54dfda949142c4145ebc70a 1152w)
5 Spins
A slight zoom has occurred. Not much has changed with regards to approach. A rather uneventful drawing.
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/5-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=0d6afad270bcdff3a3dff8c42942bd21 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/5-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1600&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=9020585728c27ed05b38417009d88bb3 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/5-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=661&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=49affcf3a2b1ed53610ba82af55cf719 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/5-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1323&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=3dd98e3194842086f4cfddb52cffbd25 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/5-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=dc6944e1cff7b1101f4960523caa30cf 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/5-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=7d341b5191e7cdc87dadb20d1a1a68c5 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/5-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=384&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=299c85eafc5a625e7779b860cf9325eb 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/5-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=06eca038df8435227db8f65474299152 1152w)
①❺ Spins
Framing remains similar to the last round. Flowerpot slims, plant leaves simplify. Arguably, scale improves on the right portion of the drawing but the left side suffers.
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/15-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=1ea6524d7a1fd4aa5f3fa73cfecabea4 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/15-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1601&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=65ed7bfbaf8d705dd845a58fde0157b2 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/15-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=661&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=4b1b144c90dd361f2d8be665c8ff5763 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/15-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1323&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=7bf795265af708729aa10dde162dc624 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/15-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=44178e39ab094633edf5c66982cc1908 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/15-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=ba60b10d145e1f115825862455007407 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/15-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=384&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=84376a14e1aad15c1191e952a98b3dad 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/15-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=062c046eeab566f88f8bf4bdb18989cb 1152w)
❷⑤ Spins
My, that is one smooth lemon. Shading has become lines only in this version. This round was accompanied by bemoaning the entire idea in the first place.
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/25-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=799&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=4e13e571662bfb7ea4f29db86da63e5b 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/25-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1598&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=40c44232d47def47442bd24361565dd4 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/25-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=660&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=6856cddc03a50eb831d09b51c9d156cc 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/25-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1321&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=c232f727b73c6d4e3f286c3942bb6bd8 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/25-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=511&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=6bfcd70cc05d0321cc3a5603aeefbfcb 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/25-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1023&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=3c9ea08a8a6786a15317a088e180976f 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/25-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=383&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=8fcab8cefe4bf0eeb74f1749147b1229 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/25-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=767&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=d58b7fccf86b527ac56304a37976bd2a 1152w)
5º Spins
Recognizing the sheets of paper are starting to dwindle, the ante is upped to ever-more spins. The zoom has come back, it's as if the idea of fitting the entire scene on one sheet of paper has completely left the brain.
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/50-Spins_2020-11-06-183945.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=1157fbc8056ecf88d73b16df9ea516d3 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/50-Spins_2020-11-06-183945.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1600&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=efd7cfdc4280955650562dae8b0b1e73 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/50-Spins_2020-11-06-183945.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=661&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=5336d13350bd09c90436e23a83157616 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/50-Spins_2020-11-06-183945.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1323&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=d1a1846ac6ddb5076693cd10644ea372 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/50-Spins_2020-11-06-183945.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=de6c2ac00064e47dfb3bc9759073e2d2 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/50-Spins_2020-11-06-183945.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=d3da5601e4e69f1bf6883f9762eda2b6 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/50-Spins_2020-11-06-183945.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=384&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=3b4eb7f3befff002ae0be4a6f9beac76 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/50-Spins_2020-11-06-183945.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=99d1e5e18ddd7434f3931771bcf662fc 1152w)
❼❺ Spins
A singular focus has occurred as a coping mechanism, fill in the flower pot as dark as you can. It will save the rest of the drawing from failing. The plant shapes are quite nice, though!
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/75-Spins_2020-11-06-183839.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=10c85ead650510e218b76c93f552f43d 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/75-Spins_2020-11-06-183839.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1600&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=6608322f5b180b466897c1abfdd6b4b7 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/75-Spins_2020-11-06-183839.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=661&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=be225014933c5bce715098107a475e8f 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/75-Spins_2020-11-06-183839.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1323&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=7a6ca1dded43301c208d17bc08be8488 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/75-Spins_2020-11-06-183839.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=535c8ae1743e93610a8c5dbfec05dcb7 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/75-Spins_2020-11-06-183839.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=2a648da803e10d0b6c2274064f1136b2 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/75-Spins_2020-11-06-183839.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=384&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=0a31deb96343e985b4eb76b1b2981cab 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/75-Spins_2020-11-06-183839.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=5120cbd55b4ba1e8524fe2fe9a84308f 1152w)
1 ◘ ◌ Spins
The final set is full of regrets, but the final product is not what was expected. Instead of a poorly rendered still life, the lines are smooth and purposeful, loose, and flowing. Far more interesting than the first drawing, albeit missing pieces altogether: a plant floats in midair. Arguably a more interesting composition with confidence lacking in many others.
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/100-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=affb54f05d805bd1ee3a1e8375b389b6 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/100-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1600&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=c482b9daf3483882ac86a8a05c323357 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/100-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=661&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=bec27b781e07ed145f3501a603938236 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/100-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1322&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=a67659d398ae0960fbcf0c5e036b5890 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/100-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=b43f894f73e5614c033ec9a7834051b1 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/100-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=3a664987b2954260101f0c5d80ec3459 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/100-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=384&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=bd4303c64d21824f7a032c9cf18b5eb5 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/100-Spins.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=64d147026bd71c0e3ed48b7daed78bc2 1152w)
Final Thoughts ... Final Thoughts ...
Hypothesis incorrect, experiment not worth repeating.
Inertia is a harsh mistress, being dizzy isn't as fun when you're over 12. Failed to take into account the acuity collected from drawing the same scene over and over. Noted.
![](/uploads/cant-sit-still-life.gif)