September 17, 2007
perceptions: photosynthesis
Binh Danh. Drifting Souls (detail). 2000.
Chlorophyll print and resin.
Danh has invented a technique for printing found photographs (digitally rendered into negatives) onto the surface of leaves by exploiting the natural process of photosynthesis. The leaves, still living, are pressed between glass plates with the negative and exposed to sunlight from a week to several months. Coined "chlorophyll prints" by the artist, the fragile works are encapsulated and made permanent through casting them in solid blocks of resin. By conjoining his process into his conceptual ideas so completely, Danh is also able to reference the history and technical developments of photography.
More on this young artist here, and here.
Posted by Sughra Raza at 10:32 AM | Permalink
Comments
I am sure these artists would welcome the news that the fundamental understanding of the subject of photosynthesis was also elucidated by the genius level scientist Otto Warburg, M.D., Ph.D. in addition to his numerous original discoveries in cancer (respiratory impairment), discovery of the respiratory enzyme, and numerous others. in the book "Otto Warburg Cell Physiologist Biochemist and Eccentric" by Hans Krebs M.D. and Roswitha Schmidt, Ph.D., Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1981, there is presented a most beautiful quotation from Warburg himself about the demonstration laboratory he used to demonstrate these great discoveries to other scientists and members of the public. From pages 71 and 72:
"We demonstrate the use of the special bolometer which was developed by Lummer and Kurlbaum towards the end of the last century at the Physikalisch-Technische Reichsanstalt at Charlottenburg, the same laboratory where in 1899 Lummer and Prigsheim measured bolometrically the radiation of black bodies and obtained the data from which Max Planck in 1900 calculated the value of the quantum of action h, where Emil Warburg-between 1915 and 1930-measured for the first time the energetics of photochemical reactions, and where Otto Warburg-in 1920-for the first time measured the energetics of photosynthesis....
Anyone who has learned in our laboratory our three essential methods-bolometry, manometry and cultivation of Chorella-can himself carry out the most important experiments of photosynthesis; he can see how one quantum of light generates one molecule of oxygen from Chorella; how in the dark two thirds or more of the oxygen evolved in the light back reacts through respiration; how photosynthesis decreases in monochromatic red light but increases in blue-green light; he can measure the action spectrum of blue-green light and he can see and learn many other things..."
From page 70: "With complicated methods we have never discovered anything significant."
From page 71 again from Otto Warburg himself:
"Ever since I began to work independently it has been, and today still is, my aim to find out to what extent the processes in living organisms can be resolved in terms of physics and chemistry. In the course of this I discovered the chemical nature of enzymes, the main tools of life, which Willstatter said, as recently as 1930, could not be explained on a chemical basis. I discovered the chemical mechanism of cell respiration, the chemical mechanism of hydrogen transfer in living cells, and thus the mechanism of all fermentations. I discovered the quantum chemistry of photosynthesis and finally, in the field of medicine, the general and direct causes of cancer."
Posted by: Winfield J. Abbe | Sep 17, 2007 10:38:01 PM
Winfield, in case any cancer sufferers read your constantly repeated claims about Warburg and oxygen therapies, here is a link that discusses and refutes these claims in some detail:
http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Cancer/oxygen.html
I have met a number of the scores of dedicated professionals who have saved many thousands of cancer patients by the 'conventional' methods of surgery, chemotherapy, irradiation etc (all of which you reject in your comments). I remember how, 30-40 years ago, 'cancer' was certain death sentence. That situation has improved greatly.
I understand that your intentions are good, but if there is even half a chance that you might mislead someone, then that would be a great pity.
Posted by: aguy109 | Sep 18, 2007 5:14:37 AM
There are some other artists that did some work in a different manner in 2000.
http://www.loreal.com/_en/_ww/loreal-art-science/2000winners.aspx?#part1
English artists Heather ACKROYD and Dan HARVEY for the exemplary work carried out in collaboration with the teams of biochemists from the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER) in Wales, that led them to the production of grass photosynthetic photographs.
These two artists use the photosensitive properties of grass to produce photographic images thanks to photosynthesis. In projecting a black and white negative onto the surface of young grass grown from seed, a positive photographic image emerges slowly over days, becoming increasingly visible as the blades of grass mature. These photosynthetic photographs exist as living organic prints for a time depending on lighting and atmospheric conditions.
The artists have also been involved on work that investigates reasons for plant death and its prevention. Together with the scientist of IGER, they have identified how to control genetically the enzyme that degrades the green pigment chlorophyll, contributing to the yellowing of senescent leaves. By modulating the expression of the gene, the scientists can alter aging behavior and even stop it all together. They have consequently managed to render permanent some of their work.
Posted by: Brad | Sep 19, 2007 4:47:41 PM
There are some other artists that did some work in a different manner in 2000.
http://www.loreal.com/_en/_ww/loreal-art-science/2000winners.aspx?#part1
English artists Heather ACKROYD and Dan HARVEY for the exemplary work carried out in collaboration with the teams of biochemists from the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER) in Wales, that led them to the production of grass photosynthetic photographs.
These two artists use the photosensitive properties of grass to produce photographic images thanks to photosynthesis. In projecting a black and white negative onto the surface of young grass grown from seed, a positive photographic image emerges slowly over days, becoming increasingly visible as the blades of grass mature. These photosynthetic photographs exist as living organic prints for a time depending on lighting and atmospheric conditions.
The artists have also been involved on work that investigates reasons for plant death and its prevention. Together with the scientist of IGER, they have identified how to control genetically the enzyme that degrades the green pigment chlorophyll, contributing to the yellowing of senescent leaves. By modulating the expression of the gene, the scientists can alter aging behavior and even stop it all together. They have consequently managed to render permanent some of their work.
Posted by: Brad | Sep 19, 2007 4:49:27 PM
Brad, thank you for your comment and for telling us about Ackroyd and Harvey's work. It sounds fascinating and beautiful. I'll look it up.
Sughra
Posted by: Sughra | Sep 19, 2007 9:25:38 PM
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