ALPHA CLEMENTINE (INSIDE)

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Artist: Emmanuelle RAPIN

Title: ALPHA CLEMENTINE (INSIDE)

Attribution: ALPHA CLEMENTINE, 2024 Emmanuelle Rapin

Year: 2024

Materials: Dried Clementine peel, embroidered with brass and copper threads, glass beads, labradorite, pyrite, cotton thread.

Dimensions: 3,5 × 5 × 4,5 cm

Image Statement: The drying Clementine peel reminded me of lunar landscapes. I wondered if I could transform the organic chemical composition of a Clementine into one similar to that of a celestial mineral body. After being embroidered with copper, brass, labradorite, and pyrite, the peel is calcined in a kiln, taking on the appearance of a burnt mineral stone. Calcining the Clementine is a direct metaphor for the decomposition of matter, whether in a dying star or in the transformation of organic material on Earth. This process transforms a familiar organic object into a celestial artifact. If a hybrid organic-mineral organism existed, it would possess unique abilities. Pyrite and labradorite could grant it properties for reflecting or absorbing light, influencing its visibility or camouflage. Copper might provide it with electrical conductivity, facilitating rapid electrochemical exchanges, similar to a highly efficient nervous system. This organism would thrive in a mineral-rich environment, such as underground caves or volcanic zones, where metals and crystals naturally occur.