An Amalgam Loop

Amalgam Loop questions the hierarchical categorisation of matter as active or inert by creating a system that brings the movement of matter within the thresholds of human perception. A block of limestone lies in a pool of vinegar, inducing a chemical reaction that results in the growth of calcium acetate crystals on the surrounding surfaces. This process affects the conductivity of the vinegar, which the sensors then pick up. An Arduino converts the sensed data into a soundscape that affects the vibration of a suspended grid. As the grid vibrates, additional calcium carbonate powder is sprinkled in the pool, accelerating the reaction. The project is an invitation for Western science to embrace interdisciplinary approaches that challenge the artificial divide between the living and non-living world.