Crystallising
Sculpture
The intention was to ascertain whether rapid-prototyped
nylon plastic could act as a suitable seed for the crystallisation of various
chemically saturated aqueous solutions. If possible, and with good adherence of
the crystals it would provide a means to contrast the precision of
rapid-prototyped form, with the seemingly random arrangement of crystal and in
turn, the ‘ordered perfection’ of crystalline structures.
With the collaboration of Dr Paul Kelly of the chemistry
department, rapid manufactured nylon did indeed prove a suitable substrate for
seeding crystals. Thus a series of studies were produced where the crystallisation
was set up to occur either on the interior of a vessel like form, or covering
the entirety of other cylindrical forms. The chemicals used included copper
sulphate (blue), potassium cyanide (orange/red) and alum (clear). The more interesting
aspect of the final results was the integration of the texture and colour of
the crystals with the complexity of the rapid-prototyped geometries. The consequence
of this was a softening of the RP surface along with an heightening of its
aesthetic qualities.
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