Investigation of the Physical and Aesthetic Possibilities of Electroforming

Event Center BC

The purpose of my research is to discover how the process of electroplating/electroforming can be used transform glass, found objects, and other non-conductive surfaces to a metal finish. For my work in the Master of Fine Arts program, I have been combining multi-media with glass, and transforming found objects through a variety of processes including growing crystals onto marine debris by immersing it in a solution of sodium tetraborate. Another part of my research has been to determine the best techniques for stabilizing these crystals once they are formed. I find the transformation of initially worthless items, such as marine detritus, to be an interesting approach for exploring concepts such as global interconnectivity and value systems. My research is allowing me expand these possibilities to metal through the process of electroforming.