A drop of wonder

Carla Rataus

Mentor: Itay Ohaly

Why is the sea salty? How does rain reach the clouds?

This project originated from the innocent questions posed by my four-year-old son Rom on our regular walks together. These questions, startling in their simplicity, reminded me of a skill that adults sometimes lose: the ability to see the familiar, which has become white noise in our lives, in a fresh light.

I chose to focus on water droplets, a tiny unit of a common and essential element we encounter in countless forms. From the sunlight illuminating a dewdrop on a leaf to rain shimmering on a windowpane or a falling tear, each droplet encapsulates a world of fascinating physical and optical phenomena.

By utilizing water droplets as a raw material and experimenting with their unique properties, they are extracted from their original context, revealing their elusive and dynamic beauty. The objects invite closer look, drawing attention and encouraging a renewed appreciation for the hidden wonder in the everyday, much like a child experiences it for the very first time.