Using Dominoes to Create Spectacular DisplaysUsing Dominoes to Create Spectacular Displays
A domino is a small rectangular block of wood or another material, each face of which is marked with spots or numbers resembling those on dice. A set of these blocks, usually 28 in number, is used to play a variety of games.
Dominoes are sometimes referred to as bones, cards, men, or tiles and are normally twice as long as they are wide. A domino has a line in the center that divides it visually into two squares, called ends. Each end is marked with a value, usually a number that ranges from zero to six. The total value of the dots on both ends of a domino (the “pips”) determines its rank and value. A domino that has more pips is considered to be heavier and of greater rank than one with fewer or no pips.
The game of domino has many different rules and variations, but the objective is to arrange a line of dominoes such that when one end of a domino touches the end of another domino in the line, it will fall over. This will continue until all the pieces are out of the line. Players earn points by completing lines of dominoes and blocking their opponents’ play. Most domino games involve matching or combining sets of tiles and are adapted from card games. Many of them also teach children counting and math skills.
When a domino is arranged in a line, the pips on its exposed ends must match: one’s touch ones, two’s touch two’s, and so forth. If the pips total any multiple of five, the player is awarded that number of points. Some domino games also duplicate card games and are popular in areas where religious proscriptions forbid the use of cards.
Hevesh has built up her domino collection into an amazing array of structures, and she uses it to create spectacular displays for movies, TV shows, and events. Her largest setups can take several nail-biting minutes to fall. Nevertheless, Hevesh believes that her work is meaningful. “I think about my creations like scenes in a story,” she says. “Each scene has a purpose, and when the dominoes fall, they naturally influence the next scene.”
To create a dramatic display, Hevesh starts by placing the biggest dominoes in the middle and working outward. She then puts smaller and smaller pieces on top of them, connecting the edges with the smallest dominoes. Then she focuses on details. “If you’re going to put all that work in, it’s just as important to make sure it all works as planned,” she says. This requires a lot of planning and practice. Hevesh spends hours each day arranging her dominoes, and she often takes pictures of her creations for future reference. She also records videos of her work, which she posts on her YouTube channel, Hevesh5.com. She has more than 2 million subscribers.