Dominoes are small, flat blocks used to play games. They can be stacked on end in long lines and, when tipped over, they create a chain reaction. The first domino knocks over the next domino, which in turn tips the rest of the line, and so on until all the pieces are tipped. Dominoes are also used for artwork and to create patterns on the floor.

Dominos are easy to set up, and the process of watching a long chain fall until it ends is satisfying. This makes them an ideal tool for teaching children how to build, and also helps them learn about the principles of physics. The power of the domino effect is even more impressive when you consider that a single domino can tip something much larger than itself. In a 1983 experiment, University of British Columbia physicist Lorne Whitehead demonstrated that a domino can actually tip objects one-and-a-half times its own size.

You’ve probably seen those gratifying videos of a domino chain toppling until the last piece falls. These chains can be arranged in many different ways, from simple shapes to intricate designs. When they’re built properly, the results are mind-blowing.

For Hevesh, who has created domino art for movies and TV shows, as well as events (including the album launch of pop singer Katy Perry), creating a beautiful setup is all in the details. To ensure that each section of her displays works perfectly, she makes test versions before putting them all together. She films each section in slow motion to catch any problems, and then makes precise corrections. Hevesh then begins building the biggest 3-D sections of her displays, and once they are up, she adds flat arrangements before completing the lines of dominoes that connect them.

When Hevesh creates a new design, she starts by thinking about the theme or purpose of the piece. She then brainstorms images or words that might be incorporated into the design. She also tries to incorporate any specific colors or materials she wants to use.

She’s created some of her most amazing displays using this method. Some of her creations take several nail-biting minutes to complete, but they’re always spectacular.

Dominoes are numbered from one to six and have two sides: one side has a number of spots, or “pips,” and the other is blank. The pips on each domino indicate its value, and a higher-value domino has more pips than a lower-valued one.

Dominoes are most often played in Western countries, but there are numerous other games involving them. Some involve blocking one’s opponent’s play, while others are scoring games such as bergen and muggins. There are also duplicate card games and games that teach kids numbers.