After waiting impatiently for a reaction and none appeared to be forthcoming, I decided to catalyse the experiment with agents previously know to incite rapid electrochemical reactions, a solution of CuSO4 & NH3Cl – Copper Sulphate and Ammonium Chloride was added to the vessel.

A few days later the electrochemical reactions were evident with the both iron and coppper rings giving forth telltale colourful decompositions:

After the recent formation of cubic (NaCl) crystals in As Above; So Below and the subsequent evaporation of the liquors, I felt the need that the reactions should continue, but in a different direction. I recall Magnesium Sulphate crystals being of a fine needle like formation, so added a concentrated solution of Epsom Salts to each of the vessels.

I have no idea how this addition might influence the vessels nor what might emerge over time.

In order to forsee what might emerge I created a small conic construction of filter paper and the three rings of iron aluminium and copper. This was placed in a jar containing a solution of MgSO4 and a dash of Prussian Blue.

It may be such that the reactions, if any, are likely to be incomparable to what may take place with the advanced 6 month old reactions in the three vessels.

Given the chloride orientated formulations of the acidic, alkaline and neutral salt solutions in the three vessels, it may be such that I may need to modify this somewhat base solution in order to encourage the electrochemical activity manifested in ‘As Above; So Below’ ..

Will a plain sulphate solution be less reactive in comparison to a chloride composition, be it neutral, acidic or alkaline?

Time will tell and the reaction is only one day old.

#miningexchangestudios Redruth

Inspired by modular synthesis and potential electrochemical modulation, I created this experimental soundtrack with additional video effects..

Having recently acquired a semi modular synthesiser with two Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCO’s), I wondered whether the voltages from electrochemical reactions might modulate the pitch of the oscillators, hopefully in an interesting manner..

Two voltages from the reactions between copper, aluminium and iron in a solution of NH3Cl patched to the VCO inputs altered the pitch of the two oscillators.

However only movement of the apparatus produced audible pitch changes. Left alone the pitch changed extremely slowly as the reactions progressed, not producing sufficient rapid voltage modulations to produce perceptible changes of tone.

Perhaps carbon probes in closer proximity or a matrix of probes and a more active electrolyte might produce varying voltages that would change in seconds rather than over many hours. These might then dynamically modulate the oscillators and produce interesting and perceptible changes of timbre.

Evolving crystalline formation.

Crystals (and other formations) emerging in the evolving installation as Above So Below.

#miningexchangestudios #alchemicalart

Iluminated from below by three slowly changing coloured lights (RGB LEDs)

Since installing on 21/2/2023, the work is beginning to evolve with visible electrochemical reactions taking place between the three rings of aluminium, copper and iron on the filter paper cones in the three vessels of acidic, neutral and alkaline salt solutions:

The prototypes are now sprouting coral like formations, around three weeks after inception. In another two weeks, hopefully these crystalline formations will also emerge from the cones in ‘As Above; So Below’.