Maize: In the Studio with Eric Johnson, Volume III

Today was another Saturday spent working in Eric Johnson on his Maize piece. We made another dozen kernels today, nine yellow ones, and three in mixed colours. The process is getting pretty polished, and we’re just knocking the suckers out without any complications or shenanigans at all.

Above – Eric with my favourite of today’s kernels, probably because it’s electric orange, like the surface of a star. This one practically glows when light hits it. Even the plain yellow ones twist the light in insane ways.

Above – Eric with today’s most spectacular kernel. This kernel has about $80 of spectraflare in it, basically a powder made up of microscopic prisms. The things this kernel does with light are sick.

Above – This kernel had shavings from other kernels put into it, including some gold flakes, in the clear resin layers on top, then it was followed by an opaque white layer, and then by an opaque midnight blue layer. The overall effect is a pearlescent jawbreaker colour.

Above – Eric and Christian tapping the molds to loosen the kernels. Those wedges they’re tapping the molds with are also used to slide between the two halves to separate the molds. Opening the molds is a ridiculous amount of fun.

Above – A lot of improvements were made in the studio in since I was there last. First, Eric made a proper setup for the outdoor TV, so we can watch old westerns and other bad movies while we spin the gimbal. Lastly, Eric set up some shelves in this crate so he can store the most recent kernels after they’re cast, but before they’re polished and the nozzles are removed. Everything in there is is today’s work.

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