According to particle physics, there is no difference between an atom that belongs to living matter and one that belongs to inanimate matter. The difference, according to George Mikenberg, one of ATLAS's scientists at CERN, between living and non-living matter is not in the elementary particles, but in the compound molecules, or organic molecules formed with carbon. A human's body is 18% carbon. This means, for my body to be alive there is 10,8kg of carbon atoms building my cells, my tissue, DNA, glucose, and so on. Organic molecules always contain carbon and hydrogen among other elements that give them their specific form, task, and location. The work is an installation of 10,8kg of carbon in form of coal inside different glass bottles. Each bottle represents in a poetic and imaginary way the weight of carbon in the different tissues, organs, and molecules. What is the difference between those carbon atoms and the ones inside of the body? Why are some alive and others not? What is the reason for these atoms to be responsible for all organic matter, besides it having the chemical abilities to create compound molecules?
The basic chemical difference between living matter and inanimate matter lies in the capacity of carbon to bind organic molecules. 18% of a human's body is carbon. For a body weighing 60kg to be alive, 10,8kg carbon atoms build the cells, DNA, a.o. The work is an installation of 10,8kg of carbon in the form of coal inside bottles. Each one illustrates in a visual and poetic way the carbon contained in the different tissues, organs, and molecules of the artist’s body. What is the difference between these carbon atoms and the ones inside the body?
This project was exhibited at the first ArtSci exhibition at the Cavendish Laboratories, Cambridge, 2019 and at CARBON, Science Gallery Bengaluru, 2023-2024