PLASMATIC

PLASMATIC is an interdisciplinary exchange project between artist Sadie Weis and research scientists working at Paul-Drude-Institut für Festkörperelektronik (PDI) in collaboration with Leibniz ScienceCampus GraFOx as a tandem between scientific research and artistic investigation through a shared sense of wonder and quest for knowledge. Weis had the unique opportunity to join and observe scientists in the context of their lab at PDI working on the synthesis and physical characterization of crystals beyond those developed by nature through a distinctive process called Molecular Beam Epitaxy(MBE). This device inspiring research is used as a means to discover the ultimate materials to further the potential of sustainable energy transfer and our technological future.

Weis engaged with the scientists in order to learn from them about their research while posing questions which required them to communicate with her on an intermediate level outside the context of their usual lab language. She documented her impressions of this experience through a spectrum of drawings and notes, further interpreting their experiments and findings and into a visceral artistic language in context with the revelations that they shared.

**Doping/ layer morphology/Lab Notes**
pen, ink and marker on mylar, 21 X 29.7 cm, 2018

**Solar Cells/Lab notes**
pen, ink and marker on mylar, 21 X 29.7 cm, 2018

**open shutters/Lab notes**
pen, ink and marker on mylar, 21 X 29.7 cm, 2018

**MBE**
interference pigment, holographic glitter, pen on mylar, photograph, 29.7 X 42 cm, 2018

**Epitaxy**
pen, ink and marker on mylar, 21 X 29.7 cm, 2018

**From stem to stern**
pen, ink and marker on mylar, 21 X 29.7 cm, 2018

**Bulk Crystals**
pen, ink and marker on mylar, 21 X 29.7 cm, 2018

***Atomic Force***
Acrylic, interference pigment, ball-point pen, on polyethylene, 29.7cm X 42cm, 2018

**shutter matrix/Lab Notes**
pen, ink and marker on mylar, 21 X 29.7 cm, 2018

***RHEED reciprocal space 1***
Acrylic, interference pigment, on polyethylene, 29.7cm X 42cm, 2018

**Kristalle**
pen, ink and highlighter marker on mylar, 21 X 29.7 cm, 2018

**Atomic Force Machine study**
pen, ink and marker on mylar, 21 X 29.7 cm, 2018

**Red RHEED**
Interference acrylic on Polyurethane, 2018

This exchange inspired the work, PLASMATIC, allowing the possibility for the intangible to become somehow tangible. PLASMATIC is an audio-visual holographic installation, an experimental simulation of the inner-workings of an MBE machine, where new elements are created through science. It vividly represents the radical advancements in scientific research being made toward new generations of electronic technology. This installation, paired with works on paper, culminated into an exhibition to present to and enlighten the public.

This collaboration between art and science illuminated in PLASMATIC was created and conceived in the spirit of diversity, reminding both parties of the power of curiosity and encouraging differences to transcend fixed boundaries.

Concept and creation: Sadie Weis
Research Scientist Collaborators: Dr. Oliver Bierwagen (Senior Scientist), Dr. Piero Mazzolini, Alexandra Papadogianni, Melanie Budde
3D Animation: Camille Lacadee
Sound Design: Kornelius Glaser
GraFOx Project Coordinator: Kai Hablizel
Scientific Coordinator: Dr. Carsten Hucho

This work was performed in the framework of GraFOx, a Leibniz-ScienceCampus partially funded by the Leibniz association.