A domino is a flat, thumb-sized rectangular block with either a blank or a number of dots (or pips) printed on each side. 28 such tiles make up a standard domino set, though “extended” sets can include as many as double-nine. Various games can be played with dominoes, including blocking and scoring. They can also be laid in a straight or curved line to form complex patterns, and are often used for artistic displays.
Lily Hevesh has been fascinated by dominoes since she was 9 years old, when her grandparents gave her a classic 28-piece set. As a teenager, she began to post videos on YouTube of her domino projects, and eventually grew into a professional domino artist who has created intricate installations for movies, TV shows, and even a Katy Perry album release party. Hevesh’s mind-blowing designs require careful planning, but one physical phenomenon is the key to each: gravity. She says that when she knocks over the first domino in a line, much of its potential energy is converted to kinetic energy as it crashes into the next domino. This kinetic energy then transmits to the next domino, giving it the push it needs to tumble over and continue the chain reaction.
Hevesh explains that she starts each project by considering the theme or purpose of the installation, brainstorming images or words that would complement it, and then creating a rough sketch of how she wants the dominoes to fall. She tests each section individually by setting up a small portion of the larger layout and filming it in slow motion. Then she tweaks the arrangement to correct any issues.
She also pays special attention to how the dominoes will be positioned in relation to each other. For example, she might plan to have the largest 3-D sections fall before the smaller 2-D arrangements, so that they all fit together seamlessly. Once she’s satisfied that her plan will work, she begins building the actual dominoes.
While Hevesh enjoys the creative challenge of designing domino layouts, she says that the most satisfying part is when the whole project comes together and all the dominoes are toppled. The process can take several nail-biting minutes, especially for her most massive creations, which may involve hundreds of thousands of dominoes.
Domino is a gender-neutral word that’s been around for centuries, and it can refer to anything that falls due to its influence. It’s a good reminder of the importance of being responsible for your actions, and to consider the consequences of your decisions before you make them.
A dominant figure, domino is a man or woman who is in control of the situation and knows how to manipulate others for his or her own benefit. This is a person who can recognize opportunities and act quickly to secure a position of power, and will always think two moves ahead to avoid pitfalls.
Domino can also be used as an adjective to describe someone who is controlling and authoritative, and will act in a way that helps him or her get to the top of their field. A dominating leader is someone who can inspire others to follow his or her lead, and who will always be aware of the impact that his or her actions have on those around him or her.
