The Perplexity of Transparency – Polycarbonate, stainless steel, copper, light emitting diodes; dimensions variable, as shown 32″ x 23″ x 12″

The Oregon College of Art and Craft annual Art on the Vine auction took place at the Portland Art Museum on Saturday evening, March 5. My work, The Perplexity of Transparency was included among the student commissioned works featured at the auction.   The concept for this work dates back to January 2013. Three years of effort were needed to solve both engineering and aesthetic problems culminating in a work that embraced Art on the Vine as theme. The work represents the essence of the molecular structure that underlies the world of materiality. It can be viewed as a framework for an infinite variety of forms placed within, interwoven among, and protruding from geometric space defined by molecular structure enlarged to the scale of human perception. In it, one encounters the wonder of complexity of form that can emerge from the combination of such simple and primitive geometric shapes as the triangle, rectangle, hexagon, and circle.

Perplexity refers as well back to the original concept, expressed in the first posting on September 14, 2015, that molecules do not have edges. At the level of visual perception, the work, as it represents a molecular structure, has a material edge. However, it is composed of panels of polycarbonate that from some angles are completely transparent, while from others, are highly reflective. The complex interplay of transparency and reflectivity changes in infinite variation as one moves around the work.

Artist statement

From the subatomic world of fundamental particles to supernova, hierarchal assembly brings into existence objects that humans perceive through vision, through hearing, through touch, and though senses of which we are only vaguely aware.  My way of viewing the world is informed through the lens of science. I view materials in terms of molecular constituents and structure. Although invisible, molecules can be imagined through an elaborate set of visual tools and models. The knowledge of all of chemistry and biology is transmitted by way of graphic images of these models. Inspired by the theme, Art on the Vine, I sought to combine the ideas of Pinot Noir grapes, wine, and the red-purple pigment responsible for its color.

Starting from the molecular structure of malvidin-3-glucoside (a red-purple pigment found in wine grapes), I computationally generated a 3-dimensional structure that enabled me to visualize the framework and electronic nature of the molecule. This was translated into a sculpture that captures ideas of a cluster of grapes, a glass of wine, and the molecular-electronic structure of malvidin-3-glucoside. The sculpture was created from a combination of transparent polycarbonate sheets shaped into tetrahedral and trigonal shapes of carbon and oxygen atoms. The individual shapes were connected using stainless steel screws. The interior of the sculpture was configured with eleven LED lights and dyed synthetic fabric that can absorb blue light and reemit the light at a longer wavelength.   The network of wires through the sculpture exists as a parallel concept to both intracellular networks and the capillary system within the grape vine.

Structure of the red pigment, malvidin

The sculpture was designed to hang by three 3/64” stainless steel wires (included) from a ceiling (Arakawa hardware includes all materials required for installation into conventional sheetrock without the need for any other reinforcement) and includes a wireless remote dimmer switch and 12v transformer that can be plugged into a standard 120v electrical outlet.