A domino is a small rectangular wood or plastic block, the face of which is divided into halves, each half bearing from one to six dots or pips resembling those on dice. A set of 28 such pieces constitutes a complete domino set. Dominoes (also dominoe) are used to play a number of games, some of which involve matching the ends of adjacent pieces and laying them down in lines or angular patterns.
The most common domino sets, commercially available since the mid-18th century, include a double-six and a double-nine, each with about 55 tiles. Larger sets also exist, and may be preferred for games with more players or for players who wish to build domino structures.
Hevesh starts each installation with a theme, such as a particular event or statement, and then brainstorms images or words that might relate to it. Once she has a list of ideas, she creates dominoes that illustrate those themes. Her designs range from simple to mind-boggling.
When she begins to build a domino installation, Hevesh always tests the individual sections first to ensure that they work properly. She also makes sure to film each test in slow motion, so that she can make precise corrections if necessary.
Once the dominoes are ready, she sets them up on a table or other flat surface and then begins to lay them out edge-to-edge in a pattern. Each piece is assigned a suit, with each suit consisting of numbers that add up to the specified total. The number of suits is significant because it determines how many different ways the dominoes can be laid out.
Typically, the first player places a single domino over an existing tile in a line or trough, then adds another until the chain reaches the edge of the table. Then the second player plays his or her turn, either by placing a domino in a line with the existing ones or by touching the edge of a domino to trigger a fall.
As each domino falls, it transfers its potential energy to the next domino. When enough of the potential energy is transferred, the domino will tip over on its own. This process is called a Domino Effect. Domino Effects can occur in many areas of science and technology, including how electrical impulses travel through the nervous system.