This session will be streamed from the Pittsburgh Glass Center where I will lead us step-by-step on pumping, filling, and lighting a glass vessel for Plasma.
From my podcast, Taming Lightning, and the collaborative video series with GEEX, Intro to Plasma, we’ll touch on a variety of interconnected topics: from the Elements of Plasma venn diagram, to Structural Guidelines for Vessel Crafting, Examples of Aesthetic considerations on the influence of vessel geometry (internal shape of the vessel ) and optical influences of surface attributes(color of glass, translucency, and use of phosphors). If you’re interested in trying to make work for plasma, this session will give you a hint of what is involved in this unique light and glass medium in which collaboration with facilities and artists are likely to be part of this process. Check out Chapter 2: Taking Shape and Chapter 3: It’s Lit: Chemistry of Collaboration from the Intro to Plasma series, as we would love to hear of any questions you have that I can address! -Percy Echols II | Taming Lightning
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I'll use my self as an example, it took me 3 years to figure out how to finish the Plasma Moose in collaboration with Chris Ahalt. Granted I was barely 6mo into with filling or making plasma sculpture at PGC, but it would have been simpler to finish if I had talked about how we would like to display the work.(which was different from how Robert Mickelsen and I approached the capacitive coupled design with his illuminated lady(see slides below). Long story short, I had combine different approaches from other artists along with 3D printing to find my answer.
Anyways, if you find the this helpful or if you have some things you'd like me to follow up on from the Intro to Plasma Serie, pleas leave a comment below!
-Percy Echols II | Taming Lightning Glass Envelope/Vessel
*Both glass vessel and envelope are used interchangeably within the context of plasma sculpture.
This is essentially a vacuum sealable form made of glass. Gas Mixture
In the process of making a plasma lamp, this is where the “cooking” starts, you can add a little bits of a gas as one would “season to taste” when cooking.
This Includes a combination of noble gases: helium, neon , argon, krypton, and xenon, and or other gases such as Oxygen and Nitrogen. The use of Phosphors and Glass color will influence your decisions for Gas Mixtures. Electrode
An Electrode is a conductor that carries the electrical charge from the Transformer to illuminate the Gas Mixture.
It’s important to use electrodes that matches your glass composition as they can be purchased for soda lime and borosilicate glass. Transformer/Power Supply
The Transformer supplies High Voltage and High Frequency Electricity to the Electrode, and excites the Gas Mixture.
You’ll want to choose the appropriate transformer for the scale of your vessel. Build & Assembly
Your Build & Assembly are the considerations made when determining where and how you present your finished work.
Hello Lightning Tamers
It's time for an update! I'm updating the Elements of Plasma visual diagram to the second edition. Now the reason why I'm doing this instead of updating the previous post is to be able to show a bit of a timeline in terms of my progress on this matter. If you've follow me since the beginning you'll notice that the process of learning plasma does take a bit of time and a bit of understanding to even grasp the fundamentals. Because of this I spend more time learning and re learning more than I produce new content. So If things are truly out of date, they will be removed, via redirection to updated post. It may not seem very efficient but if anyone has any suggestions on updateing and or editions/versions in regard to correct or updated info, please let me know. In this case I sharing an expansion, adding notes that were made during my Virtual Lecture, Taming Lightning: Getting the word out!, for 2020 Glass Art Society Conference and refined through recent collaborative efforts of Intro to Plasma Series with GEEX, the Glass Education Exchange. Below I'll share some images along with the original graphic and some text to expand on what I mean by vessel crafting, alchemy, and technology as it relates to the elements of plasma. -Percy Echols II | Taming Lightning What is the Elements of Plasma?
Vessel Crafting
Alchemy
Technology
Playlist | Intro to PlasmaHello Lightning Tamers! The LIT: Light In Transmission Exhibition has come to a close, but we have more cool stuff to come. Pittsburgh Glass Center has connected with a local creator, science explainer, and curious compatriot Ralph Crewe of Isn't that some Thing. This is 1 of 2 videos, the next which will cover things in more depth with release next week! I enjoyed working with Ralph, and excited for collaborations and crossovers in the near future! -Percy Echols II | Taming Lightning "I own the best coffee mug in the world. How, you ask? Percy Echols and the Pittsburgh Glass Center, of course!" -Ralph Crewe of "Isn't That Some Thing" Support Isn't That Something on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/isntthatsomet...
About
Welcome to the Neon Nonsense neighborhood? A PLACE WHERE THE CITY CODE ENFORCER CAN'T HEAR YOU SCREAM! Our goal with this podcast is to bring to light the trials and tribulations of building your own neon shop from scratch, making long-lasting units, and keeping the neon fires going for future generations. Won't you join us?
Meet your HostsAlleson Buchanan
Danielle James
Refilling a Plasma Piece from the #litexhibition at @pghglasscenter
It can wonderful to have the opportunity to change your work as you gain better understanding and greater knowledge. Always learning. -Percy, Taming Lightning |
Disclaimer
Welcome to Taming Lightning, I'm Percy Echols II. I'm the creator and host of Taming Lightning, as well as the emerging plasma tech at Pittsburgh Glass Center, where I'm researching and developing a space to explore Plasma and Neon Light as an Artist Medium.
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