Hemocyanin - Anje Claeys - 1/1 2011
Snails carry blue blood in their veins.
That is due to the protein they carry in their bodily fluid.
It's called hemocyanin.
The hemocyanin contains 2 copper atoms that bind a single oxygen molecule.
The oxygenation causes a color shift from colorless to blue
Humans carry hemoglobin in their blood.
The hemoglobin contains iron atoms and these bind oxygen.
Again, it is the interaction between the metal atom and oxygen that causes the color to appear.
Red is the color of our blood, our heart, our lips.
Therefore, red is grown into the color of love.
Etching is also about metals, often copper and zinc.
Metals interact with acids or salts.
This etching process is known as biting.
The metal actually is eaten away.
This chemical reaction creates grooves in which inkt can stick.
Then comes the etching press.
Again made of metal.
The plate is printed and the paper transforms from colorless to colorful.
It is like magic.
Chemistry and etching.
2 related disciplines.
Both colorful.
Both magic.
