Future Remnants
The project ‘Future Remnants’ explores the human influence on the development of mineral formation. According to scientific research, the surge in mineral diversity over the past fifty years has to be attributed to man. This series of experiments can be seen as an advance on what is to come.
Man is responsible for a large-scale redistribution of matter, creating situations that lead to unintended and unexpected chemical reactions. Using only widely available metals and solutions, ‘Future Remnants’ demonstrates how credible the alteration of earth’s geology by mankind is, while questioning what will emerge from our actions in deep time.
Steel, aluminum, zinc, and copper objects were exposed to low chemical household solutions for a minimum of two days to a maximum of seven days. Thus creating a large diversity in beautiful patterns, crystals, and colors within this extremely short timespan, the project evokes a sense of worry as well as hope. If such effects can be reached with chemicals that are relatively safe and harmless, then what is already happening in the landscape and under the earth’s surface as a result of chemical waste dumping on a much larger scale?
The illegal drug industry leaches chemicals into the soil and waterways, and sand excavations are filled with polluted soils. Can chemical reactions neutralize damaging effects or will they create an even more hazardous situation? Can the bizarre range of new materials and minerals that arise from these reactions serve a positive purpose? Combining speculative design with chemistry experiments and material research, the installation aims to give us a glimpse into our future landscape.
‘Future Remnants’ was developed as a response to the theme ‘Mutant Matter’ by Dutch Invertuals in collaboration with Franklin Till, and was presented during Milan Design Week 2018.
New Material Award Nominee 2018
Photos: Dutch Invertuals / Ronald Smits