Harriet Schwarzrock (Curtis)

Working Thesis Title: Transmutation and Presence: Creating responsive artworks through Plasma Illumination of Studio Blown Glass

Supervisors: Dr Chaitanya Sambrani, Dr Jeffrey Sarmiento, Dr Pia van Gelder, Prof Nick Birbilis

Consider peering into the shifting and pulsing luminous phenomenon of an aurora encased within a glass vessel. This practice-led research investigates gas-discharge, or plasma-illumination specific to a studio-based arts practice. An historic form of illumination where the intangible inert-gas contents of a glass vesicle, are excited by high voltage electricity, transmuting them into a light emitting plasma. This research considers the multiplicity of concerns within this entangled material practice. Where intangible molecular interactions are made visible. This has provoked me to peer into the strangeness of the sub-atomic, into quantum dynamics, where phase transitions and transmutation manifest a far more relational provocation of experience. I am drawing upon the writings of Carlo Rovelli and Karen Barad, situating quantum theories within humanities studies. My relationship to this practice has shifted, revealing an aligned set of processes interrogating interconnectivity and proximity, revealing relational apparatus, capable of making vivid our presence.

https://www.schwarzrockglass.com & https://www.curtisglassart.com