This project investigates our relationship to nature through technology. Scientific thinking leads us to believe we hold an understanding of the world around us it, creating an anthropomorphic attitude to nature. However, no matter how close we get, how much we observe the characteristics and complexities of matter, can we ever comprehend the ‘essence’ of objects. I have created these photograms of petrol mixed with water. I wanted petrol as my base material as it is derived from crude oil, a natural substance found in the ground, a substance that man has experimented on and has utilized to fuel a society based upon mass consumption. This natural substance has transformed to benefit man. Through scientific developments we think we understand oil, however, modern day problems such as fuel shortages and climate change clearly expose our misuse and exploitation of organic materials. By creating photograms of petrol mixed with water I wanted to present the material properties of petrol from an alternative viewpoint, different from our usual associations acquired through science and empirical knowledge. Thus questioning our perception and attitude toward this everyday material. Each photogram becomes more and more saturated with the petrol, changing the consistency and colour of the water; reflecting the over-consumption of this commodity that will eventually be exhausted.

Transformations.