The alchemic table of elements
Alchemist Periodic Chart
Visit the Nowhere in Particular Cabinet of Curiosities (NIPCOC) to view this and other art installations. A Cabinet of Curiosities includes objects belonging to natural history (sometimes faked/fantasy), geology, ethnography, archaeology, religious or historical relics, works of art (including cabinet paintings), and antiquities.
The Alchemist Periodic Chart was the first piece created and installed in the main tasting room. I wanted something that fit the long, narrow space and combined elements of science and fantasy. After a bit of research and falling in love with an image of an Alchemist Chart, I knew my direction, just not how much crazy work this project would entail and my apologies to Chemists, I seriously bastardized the elements!
Since historically the Alchemist Chart and Periodic Table of Elements come from the same tradition, it was not difficult to playfully merge the two. I went through the various elements, noted those that occurred in both charts and selected others for their visual qualities.
Once I decided on which elements would be included, I needed a symbol for each one. Many of the Alchemists elements already had symbols, but most of the periodic did not, so I began my search.
I pulled images from a variety of sources. Some of my favorites that may or may not be obvious: 2 Helium - The name is derived from the Greek, ‘helios’ meaning sun, as it was in the sun’s corona that helium was first detected, so I selected the Native American symbol for the Sun. 3 Lithium - Combines the electron diagram and the pill often prescribed for bipolar. This is also a nod to Nirvana. 10 Neon - “Neon”, the Greek analogue of the Latin novum (‘new’) .
After tracing/drawing the images in Procreate, I had to prepare the files to be printed. Just laying out the files took a few! The next step was getting the files printed on Wall Cling Vinyl at Spark Place. Now I had all of elements and needed to prepare the space.
I had an amazing intern from Sinclair to help with this phase of the piece, thanks Daryll! He taped off and painted the squares where the vinyl would be applied. I thought the white boxes would make the painted vinyl “pop.” but it looks crappy and distracting, so I painted the edges red and began installing the tiles.
Each element tile cut with deckle edge scissors and was hand-painted with a variety of acrylics and wiped off to emulate the look of parchment. The final work was sealed with a poly acrylic.
The symbol is from Zibu which is the language of angels and means new beginnings. 18 Argon - The name is derived from the Greek, ‘argos’, meaning idle. Symbol from Idle Hands Tattoo Parlor in SF. 24 Chromium - An image created for the Mistborn book series by Brandon Sanderson, in which they practice the Metallic Arts. 34 Selenium - Selenium Greek σελήνη selene meaning "Moon." Lilith represents the dark side of femininity, sexual taboo and social transgression.
Her symbol consists of a crescent and a cross, representing both mind and matter. 35 Bromine - Name was derived from the Ancient Greek βρῶμος ("stench"), referring to its sharp and disagreeable smell, so I went with a stylized skunk tail. 36 Krypton - Yes, Krypton is a real element! 40 Zirconium - Name of the mineral zircon (the word is related to Persian zargun (“gold-like” or “as gold”) - Symbol used is an alternate for gold symbol. 41 Niobium - The element was named after Greek Goddess, Niobe.
This symbol is from a Canadian Naval ship of the same name. 45 Rhodium - The name is derived from the Greek ‘rhodon’, meaning rose coloured. Symbol is a simple Compass Rose. A compass rose, sometimes called a windrose or Rose of the Winds, is a figure on a compass, map. 49 Indium - Named it for the indigo blue line in its spectrum.
I used this Japanese Kanji because of this page, but not sure why they did! 52 Tellurium - The Latin word for "earth", tellus, so I chose the astronomical symbol for Earth. 53 Iodine - Named after the Greek ἰώδης "violet-coloured," so I had to tribute the master of purple, Prince. 54 Xenon - Greek word ξένον xénon, neuter singular form of ξένος xénos, meaning ‘foreign(er)’, ‘strange(r)’, or ‘guest’. 73 Tantalum - The name is derived from the legendary Greek figure King Tantalus.
Symbol used from a non-polarized Tantalum Capacitor. 76 Osmium - From Greek ὀσμή, osme, 'smell' so I think I made stylized stink vapors. 77 Iridium - The name is derived from the Greek goddess of the rainbow, Iris. Symbol used is a The fleur-de-lis or fleur-de-lys is a stylized lily. (Two years later, I am not sure why I used a Lily for an Iris! Ha!) 81 Thallium - From Greek θαλλός, thallós, meaning green shoot or twig. 84 Astatine - The name comes from the Greek ‘astatos’, meaning unstable, so I chose the symbol for Radioactive Decay. 88 Radium - Symbol for RadiumCore Crypto Currency (now Validity).
After tracing/drawing the images in Procreate, I had to prepare the files to be printed. Just laying out the files took a few! The next step was getting the files printed on Wall Cling Vinyl at Spark Place. Now I had all of elements and needed to prepare the space.
I had an amazing intern from Sinclair to help with this phase of the piece, thanks Daryll! He taped off and painted the squares where the vinyl would be applied. I thought the white boxes would make the painted vinyl “pop.” but it looks crappy and distracting, so I painted the edges red and began installing the tiles.
Each element tile cut with deckle edge scissors and was hand-painted with a variety of acrylics and wiped off to emulate the look of parchment. The final work was sealed with a poly acrylic.