In class we explored the art of paper making.I recycled old paper by tearing it into pieces and soaking it in water to create pulp. I then spread the pulp over a frame, allowing the water to drain and pressing it flat to bind the fibers together. After drying, the paper had a rough, textured feel, similar to the cup holders at fast food restaurants. It was sturdy yet soft, almost like a spongy cardboard. Recycling the paper felt rewarding, like giving it a second life, much like how those cup holders are repurposed from recycled materials.

In our Chemvas class, we explored the Chinese painting technique called "broken brush," where a frayed brush creates textured, fragmented strokes. Using this method, we applied various inks and natural dyes to create unique images, letting the materials interact in unexpected ways. The technique allowed for a spontaneous, free-flowing style, highlighting the natural properties of the dyes and inks. It was a creative way to blend art and chemistry, showing how technique and material can come together in traditional Chinese art.

In our Chemvas class, we explored the process of covalent bonding through dyeing cloth using all-natural materials. To create the dye, we used red cabbage and blueberries, both of which provided vibrant, plant-based colors. We experimented with the pH of the dye by adding vinegar to lighten the color and baking soda to darken it. This allowed us to see how chemical reactions, like the shifting of pH, could affect the intensity of the dye. It was a hands-on way to connect the concept of covalent bonds with real-world chemistry, all while using natural ingredients to create beautiful, eco-friendly dyes. 

Making dyes from stuff you can find at home is a cool way to mix art and science. You can use everyday ingredients like beetroot, turmeric, or even cabbage to make colorful dyes that you can use for projects like tie-dye or painting on fabric. The whole process is basically boiling the ingredients to get the color out, and then soaking fabric in it to change its color. The science part comes in because the chemicals in the plants react with the fabric, and sometimes you need things like vinegar or salt  to make the color stick better.

A fun experiment to try is testing how changing the pH of the dye changes its color. For example, if you use red cabbage, the dye is purple, but if you add something acidic, like vinegar, it turns pink. If you add something alkaline, like baking soda, it can turn the dye blue or even green! This happens because of anthocyanins, the pigments in cabbage, which react to different pH levels. So, this experiment shows how science affects the art you can create, and it’s a cool way to see chemistry in action while making awesome colors.

I worked alongside Timothy to represent covalent bonds. We first chose two colors to show the different elements that are bonded by a molecule. We used this weaving process to create this imagery. First we cut a pattern unto the pieces of black paper. By using an under/over methos we created a pattern to show the molecules being bonded together. We then weaved a strand of black paper o connect both the different elements.

For our Food for Thought project we decided to focus on the Columbian Exchange and how we could represents its impact on the world. The exchange influenced the many foods we eat present day and the way we operate as a society. This exchange transformed diets, farming, and cultures on both sides. The project shows how this sharing of food connected people and shaped the way we eat and live today.  my group made table settings that had colors and engravings that represented the many countries that partook in the exchange. All of our items were different sizes, colors, and had different engravings which represented the small but meaningful/impactful role each country played. Africa is represented by a cup showing how it is filled with many people but once you drink from the cup it represents the way Europeans came and captured their people and culture. Everything we made ties together and shares a bit of the story we call the Columbian Exchange.

This mandala is from India. I believe this specfic one is used for religious matters or for those in hierarchial positions. I think mandala are used in different civilization to help share cultures,tell stories, expand your artisitic taste,etc. I can see symetry,pattern,repitition, and perspective was used in this.

The oxford definiton of art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. While that is true when you have people taking ordinary objects and pricing it outragously it makes you question that very definiton. I believe thats the point of art to challenge your thinking/mindset to allow you to see and adapt to the out of the ordinary things. Math can be art,. In fact,  just putting numbers together and creating a solution is creative. Mixing chemicals or experimenting is a form of you challenging youself to see what you can create while exploring and coming up with different ideas. History is even art; coming up with languages and social status, learning to fix the mistakes of the past can make you change your thinking and make you creative. Art is simply you being creative and changing the way you and hopefully others think in an open-minded sense.