highlighted transparencies

SOPHIA ZHANG

Material Logics

Julian Harake

Fall 2022

material experiments in bubble wrap modge podge, epoxy resin, rockite

rockite casting resin modge podge elastic rubber bands

[detach] plastic bubble wrap glass vase

Highlighted Transparencies is a project which explores the material and commercial dynamics of bubble wrap. In everyday use, bubble wrap is a secondary commodity used in the packing industry. It is not a product in and of itself; its sole purpose is to serve other fragile products during storage or shipping processes. As such, its presence is often something that is completely ignored or taken for granted - however, given the intensity of the flow of commodity goods across the globe today, the production, export, and use of bubble wrap is actually a massive undertaking and industry which contributes heavily to the presence of plastic and microplastic waste in the environment today. In this project, I attempt to call attention to bubble wrap as a commodity product by centering its form, texture, and material qualities, prioritizing its existence over the object it wraps around and stretches over.

Given the fact that bubble wrap itself is a highly malleable and elastic material, the development of the fabrication process for these vessels has been centered around the goal of “freezing” the bubble wrap in particular s tates of being while stretched and wrapped over existing vessel forms. This involves the layering of other casting and hardening materials, namely Modge Podge, epoxy resin and Rockite, to varying degrees and ratios. Because dried Modge Podge peels away easily from the plastic of bubble wrap, this material is what directly interfaces with the original material; resin and Rockite are then poured over the dried Modge Podge layer, taking on the texture of the bubble wrap as it cures. The original vase and bubble wrap are then taken out and peeled away from the inside of the vessel, leaving only the impression of the original material.

The Modge-Podge-resin-Rockite composite material takes on and emulates certain qualities of bubble wrap, such as its transparency, but is also different enough from the packing material in its solidity and rigidity that it creates a moment of dissonance and confusion for viewers as they question the material makeup of the vessel material layers