Interconnections

The discovery of what I am referring to as crystals in spiders fired in clay during my first term at Emily Carr set the direction of my creative research. What I perceived as the distillation of a creature to its crystalline essence inspired me to explore the interdependence of all things in my work. This developed into Interconnections, a network of nodes that include spiders with crystals in clay, etched insects on copper cells that generate electricity, and microcosms of an environment out of balance with cyanobacteria and copper. From spider crystals to electroetching with blue copper sulphate crystals, to growing microenvironments, both copper and cyanobacteria became key to my material research. Together they deploy a harmonized pallet of blues and greens. Both are unstable and change colour over time. The use of copper and cyanobacteria as materials, as examples of vibrant matter, allow me to generate microcosms of an environment out of balance and serve as the support and backdrop to reflect on climate change and the disappearance of species.

White porcelain with a spider imprint at its center and a blue crystal in the abdomen of the imprinted form.
Interconnections I, spider node detail. 2020-2021. Porcelain (naturally occurring blue crystal), 2″ diameter.
A circular copper plate etched with a winged insect, fixed to a white wall, with 3 thin copper wires connected to it.
Interconnections, insect node detail (moth). 2020-2021. Copper, 3″ diameter. Photo: Adrienne Row – Smith | Firegrove Studio
A circular, flat piece of porcelain with a spider imprint at its center and a blue crystal in the abdomen of the imprinted form is mounted to a white wall. 6 thin copper wires are connected to the back of the porcelain which is slightly raised off the wall.
Interconnections I, spider node detail. 2020-2021. Porcelain (naturally occurring blue crystal), 2″ diameter. Photo: Adrienne Row – Smith | Firegrove Studio
A close up view of a small, textured, aqua coloured sculpture made of wood, cyanobacteria, moss, and copper sitting on a white floating shelf. Salt crystal has grown across the wooden circle and created a variety of textures, and the piece itself several small shapes giving it a familiar yet alien appearance, like an underwater or otherworld shrubbery. 2 thin copper wires are connected to its base.
Interconnections, microenvironment. 2020-2021. Copper, wood, moss, salt, vinegar, agar, cyanobacteria, 2″ x 2″ x 3″. Photo: Adrienne Row – Smith | Firegrove Studio
An art installation, mounted on a white wall, composed of 6 round copper plates of various diameters, etched with insects, in a non-uniformly spaced clock pattern. At the center is a porcelain circle imprinted with a spider containing a blue crystal in the abdomen of imprint. In the roughly 6 o'clock position a small, textured, aqua coloured sculpture made of wood, copper cyanobacteria, and moss, containing a small LED light, sits on a square white floating shelf. All the nodes of this network are connected via thin copper wire and generate electricity illuminating the small LED light bulb in the sculpture.
Interconnections IV. 2020-2021. Copper, aluminum, porcelain, salt, vinegar, agar, wood, cyanobacteria, leaves LED light, 2′ x 2′. Electricity generated by the piece.
Three art installations, mounted on a white wall, each composed of 6 round copper plates of various diameters, etched with insects, in a non-uniformly spaced clock pattern. At the center is a porcelain circle imprinted with a spider containing a blue crystal in the abdomen of imprint. In the roughly 6 o'clock position a small, textured, aqua coloured sculpture made of wood, copper cyanobacteria, and moss, containing a small LED light, sits on a square white floating shelf. All the nodes of this network are connected via thin copper wire and generate electricity illuminating the small LED light bulb in the sculpture.
Interconnections I-III. 2020-2021. Copper, aluminum, porcelain, salt, vinegar, agar, wood, cyanobacteria, moss, LED light , 2′ x 2′. Electricity generated by the piece.