Here is a series of digital images I've been working on. Photographs that I had taken while looking though my microscope, crossed with that of images taken from the Hubble Space telescope. Using the juxtaposition of the infinity big and the structured, sub-atomic creations I can explore hoe geology is amalgamated with everything in existence and how it is not always apparent in our everyday lives.
By layering both images I can create an otherworldly astro-space. I think the striking blue colour from the Copper Sulphate crystals really highlights the features of space. By using a selection of different crystals and geodes, I can produce a more varied and extensive series of digital images.
I saw this exhibition in Rotterdam 'The Traveller' at the TENT Gallery, which explores how travelling and art changes the world around us.
I initially bought a microscope to investigate the surfaces of crystals but it quickly developed into a place to escape to within a micro world. The formations and pigmentation inspired a few series of works including Crystal Mapping and Microscope x Hubble. I
did a closer inspection of Amethyst, Agate and Copper Sulphate crystals. Here is a few sample images from the series.
Through looking at crystals closely I was able to gather subconscious information to how crystals are formed; this lead me to creating possibly existing crystals based from the already existing crystal system of Copper Sulphate crystals. I chose to use thick blue felt because of its fibrous nature, then using a sewing machine to compress the fibers into 'pockets'. All the crystal maps are free hand because I felt it necessary for the crystals to grow on their own through the fabric.
Growth Crystal Map on handmade felt with machine stitching.
Growth Crystal Map on handmade felt with machine stitching.
Growth Crystal Map on handmade felt with machine stitching.
I visited Blue John Cavern in Castleton to do some physical research on rocks and how water effects Geology. I was inspired by the sounds and the atmosphere in the cavern, rushing water and dead silence within one space. I admire how water has carved certain paths within the ceiling of the cave because of its irregularity and reflection of liquid.
He continues to re-assess his work as he creates it. He links his work with the benign and his work becomes a disinterest of industrialisation. When he shows his work he never wants to be part of the display (or be 'present' in the work), leaving it up to the gallery to put their own hand to it; this makes the piece different every time. On 'Seizure' he is interested in making a synthetic environment which he tries to induce an uncomfortable anxiety into this space. He is also interested in making a spiritual environment (as a child he was very familiar with the church because he was a choir boy) that doesn't exactly exist. Through crystallisation it becomes something else. 'Seizure' began as a proposal which was a product of a mental crisis which amplifies through the work. This space he created becomes a depressing dark mass (dangerous chemical substance) and by this making it as inhospitable as he could. While the artwork was closed-off from the world for a few months, it became the perfect ambiguous space.
- Making an object useless. (Burring an airplane underground).
- Taking apart an object and reassembling it in some way. (engines and brain turned to dust).
- Making a work immortal and or ritualistic. (a piece of silver laid into a church wall owned by the 'Oxbridge ' College).
- Claiming an environment which has been claimed by an invisible higher being. (Churches).
- Life can change. Acting as an artist. (You can continue to live and become something else, you just act and you just live. Absorb = Make, who are you making it for? The public or yourself?)
Foam works exuding a substance - Objects in a space exuding substance as a reflection of us, humans. Sculpt with membrane contemporary metaphor for skin.
David Bolinsky: Visualising the Wonder of a Living Cell
David Bolinsky - Medical Artist and Illustrator. Truth and beauty in the biological sense. Molecular and cellular biology. Nano Biology.
This was a leaflet found with the sample floor tiles. It its in the same style and font of the Liverpool Biannual Art Festival 'The Unexpected Guest'
How Gems, Fashion and Luxury Have Changed Our Tastes
This is a clipping from ELLE magazine which shows our fascination with gems. A solid piece of Amethyst carved into a clutch bag.
The Crystal Caves of Bermuda
An enormous cavern surrounding an underwater lake of clear water. Two of the stalagmites are over 1 million years old, while other rock formations are reflected in the water. This place has now been turned into a cocktail bar for the tourists of Bermuda.
Richard Weston, 'Blue Elestical Quartz' silk scarf. Sold at Liberty London.
Cube Houses - Rotterdam.
I based a series of paintings on the colours and crystal systems of different gems and minerals. Below are some examples.
Thin Section Painting Series
I created a series of circular watercolours based from existing gems and minerals. This is how I chose the colour and geometric pattern (based from their crystal system). I intentionally chose them to be round to mimic thin section taken from mineral to see their composition and to imply a microscope lens.
This is a design for a Hexagonal crystal system, following a method from the book 'Gemmologists' Compendium' by Robert Webster.
Pre-made Colouring Sheets
I found a book of Mandela drawings which inspired me to make my own colouring-in sheets.
The Colour Results
I have been using the original matrix sheets to create these coloured versions. I originally wanted to use colours based from how we psychologically think about colour. This ended up being a failure because humans want to use all the colours not just one shade. I gave a few copies out to other students to fill-in; some of the results are below.
My first attempt at using colour based from psychology
A colouring done from a student
An ink painting of a Hematite crystal.
I think this is a successful drawing because of the shades of black ink infused with the resilient line of the graph-paper; it acts as an already present molecular crystal structure.
A reverse image of a coloured image from a student.
A reverse image of a coloured image from a student.
I think these versions look more effective because the areas are not being divided by black lines.
