ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Sculpture at Scenic World – Blue Mountains / Eden Unearthed – Eden Gardens Macquarie / MCA ArtBar – The Rocks
An animated ecosystem that slowly glows, oscillates and emits sound to create a sense of wonder and awareness for the natural phenomena of bioluminescence present in the native Australian environment.
Luminescent Organic Chemistry sculpture (details)
Luminescent Organic Chemistry sculpture (details)
Organic Chemistry digital video filmed at Sculpture at Scenic World, Katoomba (extract)
Organic Chemistry digital video filmed at Eden Unearthed, Eden Gardens Macquarie (extract)
Dr. Robert Baker demonstrating the luminescent phenomena in the laboratory at The School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney (extract)
Site-specific outdoor installation
Organic Chemistry (2017-2018) uses sound and luminescent sculpture to create an enchanting and immersive habitat within the Blue Mountains rainforest.
The project aims to create a sense of wonder and generate awareness for the native environment by highlighting the bioluminescence that occurs amongst the fireflies, glow-worms and fungi that live there.
The work consists of a large outdoor installation, set up along the Blue Mountains Scenic World boardwalk. The aerial and grounded components of the installation include an assemblage of multiple transparent test tubes, transfer pipettes and other materials reminiscent of chemistry compounds.
Organic Chemistry creates an animated ecosystem that slowly glows, oscillates and emits sound.
The sculpture is sensitive to natural elements and moves with the breeze, rain and wind. It glows under the effect of luminescent particles, which become chemically charged when exposed to both natural and artificial light sources that have been set up within the installation. The afterglow becomes visible only when the background light returns to a semi-dark condition.
A looping, experimental sonic track plays within the installation, furthering the immersive experience of the work. It includes a collage of field recording and experimental sounds that amplify the silent processes of organic chemistry taking place in the forest area.
Artwork details
| Artwork | Organic Chemistry (2017-2018) |
| Material | Mixed media, transfer pipettes, test tubes, flower water vials, luminescent pigment, synthetic resin, rare earth minerals, outdoor lights, timer, stereo speakers and mp3 micro player |
| Dimensions | Variable |
| Exhibitions |
Sculpture at Scenic World 2017 Katoomba Scenic World, Katoomba, NSW, AU 7 April – 7 May Artist talk 22 April - Blue Mountains Cultural Centre MCA ArtBar 2017 Museum Contemporary Art, The Rocks, NSW, AU 25 August Eden Unearthed 2018 Eden Gardens, Macquarie Park, NSW, AU 1 September – 1 March |
| Links | Sculpture at Scenic World catalogue (pag. 25 n.18) |
Credits
Scientist mentor
Dr. Robert Baker, The School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney
Soundscape
Trevor Brown
Photos and video
Corey Rankin; Christopher Verheyden; Keith Maxwell/A Shot Above Photography; Kent Johnson; Liu Sizhou; courtesy of the visitors
Provision of the outdoor sites
Katoomba Scenic World; Museum of Contemporary Art; Simon and Anna Ainsworth
© Marta Ferracin 2025 Website by Natalia
Installation assistant Christopher Verheyden