I've started a series of sculptures that depict consequential molecules.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a170c_17ec0c7d03744b4fb0f6512ced1f9299~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_734,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/9a170c_17ec0c7d03744b4fb0f6512ced1f9299~mv2.jpg)
It started with this piece, depicting a hydrocarbon molecule's transition from its liquid to its solid phase.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a170c_a11204e763fd48f19505cd519eeac970~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_331,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/9a170c_a11204e763fd48f19505cd519eeac970~mv2.jpg)
I chose thick acrylic for long life in direct sunlight. An array of LEDs inside each large and small atom fills it with light.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a170c_fe7909b45c6740dcac007c0ee82d505a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1090,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/9a170c_fe7909b45c6740dcac007c0ee82d505a~mv2.jpg)
A structure of aluminum and stainless steel joins each atom at the locations where chemical bonds occur in these molecules.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a170c_fe72e5fd1bbe4d5bb9c63e352d59b850~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_473,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/9a170c_fe72e5fd1bbe4d5bb9c63e352d59b850~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a170c_9a1964119b1a45129278cf66581d520d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_473,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/9a170c_9a1964119b1a45129278cf66581d520d~mv2.jpg)
The large spheres in Latent Energy correspond to carbon atoms. The small spheres correspond to hydrogen atoms. The solid form is characterized by a linear chain of carbon atoms, each of which has two hydrogen atoms attached to it.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a170c_5c67ff9afdd14d668f9152d9ca954d37~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/9a170c_5c67ff9afdd14d668f9152d9ca954d37~mv2.jpg)
The two small molecules on the lawn are both methane, the smallest hydrocarbon molecule, each with one carbon atom.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a170c_80b379971fc0406dbad4a1c6a4e418bd~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_379,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/9a170c_80b379971fc0406dbad4a1c6a4e418bd~mv2.jpg)
For Colorado State University, I created six smaller molecules in an array called Earth's Blanket. Here, I was thinking about the greenhouse effect that traps heat below the atmosphere.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a170c_6ecbe96cf3ba4b209d06f45e3629c6a6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_473,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/9a170c_6ecbe96cf3ba4b209d06f45e3629c6a6~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a170c_3eaa24204653455e9d3b4fc4868bbc09~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1001,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/9a170c_3eaa24204653455e9d3b4fc4868bbc09~mv2.jpg)
The six molecules are water, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and freon-12. These molecules are the most abundant greenhouse gases.
For this molecule sculpture, I wanted to program color sequences that show the electrostatic charge distribution on the surface of each molecule – showing each molecule as it looks to other molecules.
I've been imagining a caffeine molecule - perfect for a coffee shop.
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