SPECIMENS
Porcelain, water, glass jars, algae
180*150*25cm, installation in window
Bath, England | 2005
I wanted to convey a sense of wonder and magic at science, especially biology. A moment starting to really consider the links between the materials I was using and their connection to nature, I was interested to create a laboratory-style shelf installation working with the light through the window, the shapes of the trees outside the high window and the view of sandstone Bath city beyond. Hand-sized balls of porcelain were rolled in leaves and local woodland earth and fired to a low temperature so they became porous and light flesh coloured, and looking slightly like brains in jars. Suspended in pond water, the suns energy coming through the glass brings light and heat, stimulating growth of algae and small organisms on their surfaces inside the jars over time.