The molecular weight of water
A 3-dimensional drawing depicts the surprising phenomenon known to scientists as “triple point.”
Mysterious as it may seem to the layperson, it is possible to create conditions that will force water to exist in three states at once (solid, liquid, gas) inside the same physical container. Triple point was unknown to me when a collector reached out to commission an artwork that would depict the phenomenon. The project sounded like a good challenge, so I was curious and ready to explore.
Some internet research yielded this fascinating video, in which you can literally see the multi-state occur. I also found that there are a variety of standard ways to represent water molecules, depending on what you wish to emphasize.
After looking at a few too many multi-colored, clinical diagrams like what we all saw in our high school textbooks, it was clear that I wanted to work with a stripped-down representation of water molecules; an approach that would feel somewhat pattern-like.
Then I began with some quick and dirty idea generation in the sketchbook. Paring down those standard models to their essence, playing with how I might represent them in a way that felt organic and human.
At first, I considered using digital design tools to create the grid of the solid state, or projections / transparencies to draw the mechanized grid. With experimentation, I found that I appreciated the slight variations that came with just drawing the grid by hand.
The idea emerged of representing the different states (solid, liquid, gas) in overlapping layers; I explored those separate layers’ shapes and forms with thumbnail sketches until I honed in on a composition I felt was solid.
I experimented with the hand-drawn molecule patterns at scale, testing different shapes and methods for assembly. The top layer of paper represents the solid state; followed by gas and liquid.
I debated assembling the layers flat on a background surface, but decided a bit of depth created a unique quality. With a subtle inscription, the text of which was suggested by the commissioner, the work was complete.
The molecular weight of water
Pen and graphite on green Awagami kitakata paper, with stainless steel specimen pins
12"x 12"
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