Discoloured

This project was inspired by the effects of global warming on marine life. While there are many negative impacts due to the climate change, Discoloured draws attention to the loss of beauty with regards to coral bleaching. A rise in temperature discolours the orange from the coral patterns and extinguishes other forms of life in the ocean, as represented by the tiny lights on the lower portion of the piece.

Medium: Organdy, Tulle, LEDs, Thermochromatic pigment, Digital Temperature Sensor, Acrylic Rhinestones, sequins and assorted beads

Short clip of Discoloured during the the exhibition at the ArtScience Museum:

Exhibition

 

Some behind the scenes of creating Discoloured:

Sewing on different layers of tulle and organdy

 

Testing of the thermochromatic pigment:

Thermochromatic pigment

The pigment is mixed into clear nail polish which is then lacquered thinly onto each rhinestone. At around 30 degree celsius, the orange pigment starts to turn colourless. Another layer of UV protective nail polish is then coated over to protect the pigment from degrading.

 

IMG_5008 copy

In many cases, the room temperature is below 30 degree celsius. The concept for using the thermochromatic pigment to form the coral patterns is that due to human intervention, the sea temperatures have risen due to global warming. Warm waters causes the corals to expel the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues, causing the coral to turn completely white. When a coral bleaches, it is not dead. Corals can survive if water temperatures return to normal quickly, but in the case of global warming it is difficult to undo the damage or even put a halt to it.

 

 

 

 

 

Discoloured

by Leong Shi Lin

Materials: Organdy, Tulle, LEDs, Thermochromatic pigment, Digital Temperature Sensor, Acrylic Rhinestones, sequins and assorted beads

This project was inspired by the effects of global warming on marine life. While there are many negative impacts due to the climate change, Discoloured draws attention to the loss of beauty with regards to coral bleaching. A rise in temperature discolours the orange from the coral patterns and extinguishes other forms of life in the ocean, as represented by the tiny lights on the lower portion of the piece.