David Collier Feb 16, 2017
“Experimenting with casting iron using thermite.”
Mitch: This experiment, to me is performance art that produces an interesting and compelling artifact with a unique character that belies it’s chaotic origin in parts, and being true to it in others. The apparatus involved is also visually compelling, the insect like legs of the crucible squatting over the expectant sand below is evocative of some bio industrialist creature birthing something from another reality, it’s all quite unique imagery. Seeing the glowing metal go from taking form in the mould, cool into a slag encrusted rock which is chipped away, and then the final product really brought home for me something of the awesome power of flame and heat. It also intimated for me how we as humanity might interact with that power in a more thoughtful and constructive way. For example how might firefighters work collaboratively with a fire to more quickly end it, or how might homes be better designed to prevent, and in the unfortunate event of a fire, help in it’s quick resolution.
