Science Laboratory explores the two definitions of science: the Oxford Dictionary definition and the Jamaican Patois definition: Black magic, sorcery, Obeah.

The project focuses on recreating laboratory equipment using wood as the primary medium. I will produce hand-drawn and computer-aided designs, along with meticulously scanned 3D textures, which will then be fed into specialised software compatible with CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines.

In collaboration with studio Paul Jones, maker spaces and various workshops, I will employ a wood lathe to shape additional components. This process will allow for a tactile engagement with the materials. I envision setting up a dynamic dialogue with the CNC machine, crafting parts that will be carved and then returned to the machine for intricate reworking, blurring the lines between craftsmanship and technology.

I aim to realise a solo project that will contribute to the debate surrounding human artistic endeavour and the ethical questions surrounding the advancement of technology and artificial intelligence. Instead of offering ‘answers’, the pieces will pose questions about the ‘natural’ order, our relationship with technology and nature and offer perhaps a glimpse into a future where the polarity between these states is no longer visible.

The installation itself will be an eclectic assembly of components that may seem discordant at first glance but reveal a unique harmony when combined. These elements will be displayed on a workbench reminiscent of an herbalist’s table or a laboratory bench, inviting viewers to engage with a space that merges the mystical with the scientific.

https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/38878