"Polarity" Leah Heiss

 'Polarity' Leah Heiss

Case Study

Elements of design:
-25 glass, spherical vessels containing a black substance which "pulsates" and an oil-like substance.
-Vessels are spaced out separately on a table top, yet they are harmonious. Reminiscent of corals and sea anemones swaying deep in the ocean, together.

Subject Matter:
-Nano-engineered magnetic liquid
-Humanisation of Technology

Materials:
-Magnetic liquid(ferrofluid):

-Propelene Glycol:Organic compound.

-Ethanol: Absolute Alcohol.

-Glass Vessels:man made container

-Motors: Movement, Tchnology, Industrialism, man made engine, machine

-Rare earth Magnets: Magnetism, direction, attraction.

Presentation and display:
-The glass vessels are placed on a white table top under a glass casing. The room is dark with lights shining directly onto the table. Polarity is presented in the "National New Media Art Award 2012"Exhibition at GOMA along with other artists whose works also focus on Contemporary concepts and technology based mediums.

Genres:
-New media
-Sculpture
-Installation
-Mixed media

Codes:
-Humanisation of Technology
-The ferrofluid usually used in electronic devices, has found new meaning in Heiss's work as this "Vulnerable organic form"

Influences from contemporary ideas and events:
-The work made in 2012, is commenting on the "Humanisation of Technology" The use of the mechanical fluid in the form of an organic form, is referring to the notion that technology is becoming more advanced constantly, it's as if we (as humans) have not yet asked "When do we stop?"

Biography:
-Leah Heiss is a melbourne based artsit and designer. She is located at the centre of art, design and science.
-Weiss works in collaboration with with experts in nanotechnology through to fashion design.
-Extensive knowledge in Next Generation Materials and processes.

Internationalism and colonialism:
-Glassware is a result of colonial influence. Its usage out of that of decorative or cutlery purposes is unorthodox and post-colonial thinking, It takes on a functional form in Heiss's work

Precedents:
-Nicholas Folland uses glassware in a gallery context
-Joseph Beuys: his use of unorthodox materials in his art - "Chocolate, sausage, gelatin, margarine, and butter are all foods that Beuys utilized in his artworks."
-Fractal art: using science within art.

Electronic and information technologies:
Polarity focuses on nanotechnology. "In chemistry, polarity refers to a separation of electric charge leading to a molecule or its chemical groups having an electric dipole or multipole moment. Polar molecules interact through dipole–dipole intermolecular forces and hydrogen bonds. Molecular polarity is dependent on the difference in electronegativity between atoms in a compound and the asymmetry of the compound's structure"

Audiences:
GOMA; gallery context, viewed as an artwork as opposed to glassware or a scientific experiment.

Viewed on the website in a mediated experience differing from the perspective achieved when viewed in person.
Both the art world and the world of science would potentially take interest in this work by Leah Heiss.


Bibliography

http://mobile.qagoma.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/current/national_new_media_art_award_2012/artists/leah_heiss

http://www.elasticfield.com/polarity.htm

http://www.pagesfrommymoleskine.com/2012/07/floe-by-nicholas-folland.html

http://www.nicholasfolland.com.au/page6.htm

http://www.discovernano.northwestern.edu/artgall

http://www.walkerart.org/archive/C/9C43F9ACA34F1B386167.htm

http://www.elasticfield.com/aboutme.htm

http://www.elasticfield.com/polarity.htm

http://blog.qag.qld.gov.au/new-media-and-therapeutic-design/

Image List:

Joseph Bueys Performance Art


Nicholas Folland 2010 Floe, made from fine glasses suspended