| Comment: |
The artwork is commented by the artist herself with the following: "This collage is about the discovery of the oxidation process. What makes things burn? A great question I think. There are continuous references throughout the book to fire and transformation, "Phlogiston" is one that is specifically so oriented, naturally "Greek Fire", also many others, but that is a separate theme, yes? I was interested in exploring a story that Roald Hoffmann told me. That is the interesting timeing of the three scientists, Scheele, Priestely and Lavoisier. We discussed the democratizing of science and the beginning of general interest of the greater population. In this collage some pieces are: a portrait of Lavoisier, a Bell jar with two mice consuming oxygen and presumed dying, a burning lens for focusing sun's heat, a laboratory, an oven or kiln, a theater stage with the Lavoisier couple together enthralled and also consumed with the performance of fire. Outside the laboratory there are citizens curious about the happenings of science and research wanting to be a part of it (a democratic idea; Paris is not yet burning here). Then in the upper section there is a reference to the next step, the ability to measure atoms for exactitude; that is the puzzle of oxidation is yet to be solved." |
From object
Torrence - LavoisierPrivate collection
Suggestions & Corrections 
Component's data
Iconography of Lavoisier
Related components 
Attributes
