There has always been this molecular reality where unknowable and unquantifiable forces of attraction and repulsion create artistic imagery.

     Within the world of chemistry in a sparkling coastal city like Corpus Christi, TX, equivalent applied randomness has supported that concept.

     The scenario took place on fenced glass slides where 3 to 8 different partially saturated compounds were mixed together to grow community-style crystalline structures. These thin, three dimensional formations derived from a resource of 80 inorganic compounds along with a few organics like beer and wine became the Maltese Falcon that dreams are made of.

     To bring unlikely combinations of compounds onto any surface is easy enough. Illuminating the completed crystals was nothing unusual using focused polarized light and a large-format camera for quality transparencies and a comfortable viewing screen. Even searching the 20 square inch surface areas of each slide looking for that approximate .03 square inch stage where angels sing was very doable. But getting the chemicals to behave themselves with such up close and personal competition for space was quite a different story.

     The uproar of discontent among individualistic compounds in such unfamiliar surroundings silenced the sought-after operatic voices for the first two fun-filled years. A pleasant note here and there kept the embers glowing in the imposing 7 by 12 improvised home laboratory.

     Knowing the elusive nature of indiscriminate chemistry prediction, 36 - 4X5 slides had to be built and each session represented 720 square inches of rough terrain on which to forage. Typically, 9 sessions made it through the day. The name of the game was change. No two slides had exactly the same chemistry but sufficiently similar so that observations made and conclusions deduced, somewhat intuitively, led to scoring the different compounds with respect to their friendliness... how affable or how ignoble they were to certain others.

     It came down to major and minor players, even stars but they all had problems with their voices without a specific compound as their conductor. The ability to accumulate data finally allowed for better formulation and more harmonious melodies to be heard, which on occasion emboldened the screen to light up and the shutter to engage.

     One might believe that this progression of data would lead to images on demand. But the aforesaid random molecular interactions limited the keepers to an average of just over one a month leading towards a portfolio of over 125 distinct images.

Robert B. Alcott
Lafayette - Yale
Cinematographer
Writer - Editor

1213 Stone St.
Corpus Christi, TX  78418
(361) 939-7946

This portfolio, unique worldwide, is now available for new ownership.

e-mail: rbalcott@gmail.com

      The 2004 graduate art class at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi created a professional gallery showing of 20 - 23 x 29 prints from selected digitally scanned original 4 x 5 transparencies.