ENTROPY I

Entropy I (2018) is a collaborative work with artist Lisa Tolcher that investigates the chemical process of oxidation of organic and inorganic matter, in the forms of weeds and metals. It explores the concept of entropy, or disorder - a loss of equilibrium and control - through the disruptive chemical processes applied to natural and man-made matter.

During a month-long art residency at Culture at Work (CAW), Ferracin collected weeds found in CAW's backyard and the surrounding Pyrmont Park, hanging them in the studio in preparation for the next phase. Investigating alternatives to common weed killers, Ferracin discovered nonanoic acid, an organic chemical that oxidises weed leaves by disrupting their cell walls.

Ferracin played with different stages of oxidation by exposing these Australian weeds to the sun for different intervals of time. With this material Ferracin created Entropy I, utilising various organic colours - bleached yellow, brown, pink, black and green- that continually change tint and shape due to entropy ’s ongoing process of decay.

Tolcher responded to Ferracin's oxidised weeds by integrating inorganic sculptural elements of chemically treated patinated copper, blending this together to create the collaborative work of Entropy I.

Ferracin presented the weeds as floating in the air, making them appear to be alive, in order to expose the viewer to direct contact with life and decay. The process of Entropy I provided a natural alternative to chemical herbicides, proposing an environmentally safer approach to the widespread use of chemical intervention.

In CAW’s main gallery, this ephemeral, immersive installation of organic and inorganic elements is the heart of the overall Entropy project where the viewer can experience the visualisation of an ordered suspended chaos.