This project has urged me to continue to experiment with the process of evaporation in order to create interesting surfaces. I have created a few samples, whereby I set up certain conditions that allow a surface to create itself; often with a completely unknown and surprising outcome. One such experiment allows vinegar to evaporate and then to crystallise on the surface of copper, creating a sand-like texture, not dissimilar to under-fired enamel and with the most amazing colour.
My inspiration for this originally came from a visit to Roger Hiorn’s Seizure, below, in which he coated the interior of a South London flat with blue crystals. Hiorn flooded the flat with 70,000 litres of hot copper sulphate solution, which was then left to cool and crystallise, creating an atmospheric, striking crystal cave. I loved the contrast between the tight constraints and rules that he had to follow in order to implement and facilitate the work, and the uncontrolled, unknown natural outcome.
I have previously combined enamel and patina in order to create a similar effect, where the patina often creeps over the enamelled surface thereby altering the enamel’s appearance. Below are a few samples from my sketchbook.
Here are a few up-close photographs so you can see the surface texture and patina created simply from vinegar fumes.
Hi Kirsty,
Intrigued to see where this leads you after your beautiful 2010 MA work.
I like this chemical approach to moving liquids and material between surfaces and the process could hold fascinating interactions for enamel and metalwork.
Both Elizabeth and Jessica Turrell will be in Edinburgh separately towards the end of March 2012. Maybe we can arrange to meet up. If there is anything you need from the jewellery department don’t hesitate to ask!
Stephen
Dear Kirsty,
I am fascinated to see Roger Hiorn’s Seizure. It looks such an incredible project; I don’t think I would have liked to breathe in that flat. But the qualities are truly astonishing. How will these techniques develop in your work? That will be exciting to see. Would you be able to take some really close up photographs, so that we can all see the surface details? I would be very interested in that.
Beate
Thanks Stephen and Beate,
I have uploaded some further photos that show the surfaces in slightly more detail. The flat was amazing and was very eerie as the large crystals muffled any noise so the effect was very cave-like! I really loved the deep turquoise colour that is achieved through this process but I was not keen on the nasty chemicals involved. Therefore, I searched for a kinder alternative that would allow me to be more tactile throughout the process and the result was trusty old vinegar!