In Attempting to mix water and oil, 2009, Q-tips with one end wet by olive oil enter a glass full of water while different Q-tips with one end wet by water enter a glass full of oil.  In either case, the wick of the fibrous ends changes its buoyancy, raising or lowering it from the surface of the glass.  The wick releases some of the oil in the glass full of water, eventually lowering the more buoyant Q-tip end.

Attempting to mix water and oil uses the different viscosities of water and oil to raise and lower Q-tips by the differences in surface tension between the two materials.  The addition of a solid (Q-tip) slips beneath the surface with one end always above or below its other end due to the addition of either liquid (water or oil).

Attempting to mix water and oil attempts to show surface tension as a process of emergence and submergence and that the submergence of objects from the surface produces a new emergence.