The word domino means something that controls or influences others, especially in a chain reaction. People use the term to refer to a series of events that starts with one simple action but has much greater (and sometimes catastrophic) consequences. A common example is a person knocking over a single domino, which then triggers the falling of all the other dominoes around it. This is the popular concept of the “domino effect.”
Dominoes are small oblong pieces made of wood or other rigid material. They can be stacked on end to form long lines. Each domino has a face with an arrangement of dots, called pips. The most common type of domino is the double-six set. This type of domino has a line in the middle that visually divides it into two squares. The left side of the domino contains pips; the right side is blank or has fewer pips. The number of pips in the domino determines its value. The values of dominoes vary, but the most common are the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 pips.
Many children play games with dominoes by placing them edge to edge and then tripping over the first one. When the first domino tips over, it causes the next one to tip, and then all the rest of them, resulting in a complex pattern of shapes and colors. These games teach children about the principle of cause and effect. They also develop the ability to sequence events and follow instructions.
Another way that dominoes are used is to create art, such as pictures or 3D structures. Artists can create amazing works by carefully positioning the dominoes to achieve their desired outcome. They may also add color or other decorations to their creations.
In some cases, an entire city or town can be adorned with domino art. For example, in the Philippines, a city called Ormoc has a series of giant dominoes that are part of a light and sound show. The city has become known for its artistic display of dominoes and is considered to be one of the most creative cities in the world.
Hevesh designs her own displays and tests them in stages. To make sure her creations work properly, she builds smaller versions of each section before putting them together in the larger layouts. She also films the testing process so that she can see exactly how the pieces fit together and make adjustments accordingly.
When Hevesh designs her shows, she uses a model that helps her to understand how the display will look from every angle. This allows her to make precise corrections when necessary, especially if the final product doesn’t look as intended. When she is satisfied that her layout works correctly, she then assembles the bigger sections and lines of dominoes.