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.
