progress
It’s been interesting taking note of my own reactions to this project over the last couple of days.
On average, however, I’ve been slightly uncomfortable in producing these images.
The homunculus/mandrake image especially has left me feeling a little unsettled. I keep thinking back to the Hans Bellmer images I posted a while back. Whilst the viewer knows that the image couldn’t be real, the impact that the misappropriation of the human form has is slightly unsettling.
Perhaps the dandelion image is more successful – a slightly more poetic idea of transformation and extension of the human artefact or souvenir.
At this stage, I envisage the final document to be a series of these ‘sprouter’ images with accompanying text.
Oh, and upon approaching some science heavyweights it seems that human semen would be a fine environment for the germination of seeds. Here are the responses I received:
Scientist 1:
Jen - Your query is perfectly legitimate, and your comments about the amines quite correct - I would expect the chemical ‘cocktail’ would support plant germination because the levels of the materials are not
too excessive - the main things needed for germination are water (moisture ) and warmth - you probably recall that as children, we germinated wheat seeds on a moist layer of paper or cotton wool, placed
in the light and warmth of a window sill - all the necessary nutrients required for germination are contained within the seed - for continued growth, you need to add soil or a fertilizer…
Best wishes for the experiment –Colin
Associate Professor Colin Rix
Program Leader, Applied Chemistry
Scientist 2:
Wouldn’t have a clue! Only one way to find out….
JohnÂ
With hydroponics, it seems that the main issues are fertiliser and a structural support system upon which the plant can grow (rather than floating in space as my images currently portray!)
 
