Visualizing the Invisible: Performing Chaos Theory

Abstract Edward Lorenz, a pioneering figure in the field of chaos theory, coined the phrase “butterfly effect” and posed the well-known question “Does the flap of a butterfly's wings in Brazil set off a tornado in Texas?” In posing the question, Lorenz sought to highlight the intrinsic difficulty of predicting the long-term behavior of complex systems that are sensitive to initial conditions, for example, the weather and climate; these systems are often referred to as chaotic. Taking Lorenz's butterfly as a starting point, the author's science theater project Chaos Cabaret seeks to explore the nuances of chaos theory through performance and music.