Empirical methods imply failure. If I’m experimenting, I’m not expecting to succeed at first, on the contrary I see in failure a potential for learning and discovery. Going into the unknown without knowing what the outcome would be it is not comforting at all, yet, truly inspires me.
iron fillings
oxide texture
oxidation process: iron particles turning into iron dust
I had a bucket filled with water, magnets, fabric, scrap metal and iron shavings fermenting in my bathroom for the past few weeks and It was fascinating to see how the media reacted and changed during this time of experimentation.
In the beginning a metallic brown layer formed on the surface where the rusty water met the air, looking almost iridescent. Days passed and I decided to add some vinegar to accelerate the process of oxidation, the result was:
-The thin iridescent layer turned into a voluptuous foam of brownish coloration together with a strong scent, the smell added to the atmosphere in a very particular way, my house smelled like blood at first and soon the smell became more like cheese for several days. Sharing this later with a scientist friend confirmed the presence of bacteria.
Daily, I began collecting the foam carefully with a metal knife and pouring it onto white parchment paper, moving the liquid around, tracing boundaries, delineating lines and intersections towards wide and open areas likes maps of unknown territories full of interesting textures.
iron foam
Once dried I discovered that foam has turned into dust, bringing about an eerie transmutation of the material (iron).
blueprints
iron dust