Higher Degree by Research exhibition | Harriet Schwarzrock

Overview

Drawing on the dual etymology of plasma as both a luminous state of matter and a vascular component of blood, Schwarzrock creates blown-glass objects that explore the boundaries between object and observer through intimate, luminous interactions within shared electromagnetic fields. Rather than the distant aurora or arcing lightning, familiar plasma phenomena, here illumination is elicited within a glass vessel, harnessing the same electromagnetic principles that once captivated early 19th-century scientific investigation.

Working at the intersection of the four states of matter (solid, liquid, gas, and plasma), Schwarzrock's experimental studio practice combines techniques from glassblowing, neon fabrication, and scientific glasswork to produce vascular forms. These range from chambered vessels to complex tubular networks, each responding luminously to an observer's presence and touch.

The resulting objects and installations offer shifting, responsive light that brightens as observers draw close (or reach out to touch the glass), enacting a co-production between body and artwork in which otherwise invisible electromagnetic relationships become tangible and perceptible. Through this sensory encounter, Schwarzrock positions plasma as a profoundly relational medium, capable of revealing our imperceptible interconnectedness.

Visit the website for details of the Exhibition Opening Event and ANU Open Day.