Silicon

Location Tartu Health Care College

/ Corten B steel, stainless steel, reinforced concrete, larch and lighting; diameter 1.9 meters /
 

Authors Oliver Soomets, Bruno Lillemets and Tõnis Hiiesalu

2016

The sculpture “Silica” is inspired by microscopic engineering marvels – diatoms. Diatoms, or silica algae, are widely spread microscopic organisms in nature, whose cells contain two nested, intricate, and beautiful structures.

Silica is an indispensable material in medical high technology, primarily because it does not trigger rejection reactions in the human body. This material is used in the production of medical fluids, as well as in the creation of high-tech fabrics, seals, implants, creams, and textiles.

The artwork consists of two spheres mimicking the silica structure of a diatom cell, with a light source inside. The outer sphere has a diameter of approximately 1.9 meters and is made of untreated steel. The inner sphere has a diameter of about 70 centimeters and is made of stainless steel. The shapes of the inner and outer spheres are similar, but the surface texture differs. As the outer sphere rusts over time, the contrast between the two spheres increases. In the center is a diffused light source.