Ran Ortner
oil on canvas
66" x 96"
2016
Element number 33 is Arsenic
Uses
Arsenic is a well-known poison. Arsenic compounds are sometimes used as rat poisons and insecticides but their use is strictly controlled.
Surprisingly, arsenic can also have medicinal applications. In Victorian times, Dr Fowler’s Solution (potassium arsenate dissolved in water) was a popular cure-all tonic that was even used by Charles Dickens. Today, organoarsenic compounds are added to poultry feed to prevent disease and improve weight gain.
Arsenic is used as a doping agent in semiconductors (gallium arsenide) for solid-state devices. It is also used in bronzing, pyrotechnics and for hardening shot.
Arsenic compounds can be used to make special glass and preserve wood.
Biological role
Some scientists think that arsenic may be an essential element in our diet in very, very low doses. In small doses it is toxic and a suspected carcinogen. Once inside the body it bonds to atoms in the hair, so analysing hair samples can show whether someone has been exposed to arsenic. Some foods, such as prawns, contain a surprising amount of arsenic in a less harmful, organic form.
Natural abundance
A small amount of arsenic is found in its native state. It is mainly found in minerals. The most common arsenic-containing mineral is arsenopyrite. Others include realgar, orpiment and enargite. Most arsenic is produced as a by-product of copper and lead refining. It can be obtained from arsenopyrite by heating, causing the arsenic to sublime and leave behind iron(II) sulfide.
Interesting… I’m not sure how it’s applicable though.
I realize that I left this part out of my citation above… Arsenic is found in prawns I guess, which live in the ocean. Beyond that, I’m not sure either, but the work is called element 33, and element 33 is arsenic.
Perhaps it’s a comment on suicide or perhaps the drudgery of common life, or perhaps the fear invoked by seeing nothing but water. That’s just me though, that’s what I thought about as I looked at this work.
Edit: re-reading my citation above, I realize I left out the part where prawns are a major source of Arsenic.
I see Ran Ortner only paints these ocean scenes and element is just one of his ways of titling them. You can see more of them on his website here .
Oh, ok. Thanks.
That is funny tho, thinking about the art vs the artist’s intent.
In this case, the artist made a great many of these, and decided to call them elements.
Then, you posted 33 here.
Then I, acting upon only the context of the painting and title, decided to look up what element 33 was.
And now when I look at all those beautiful paintings I only think of arsenic. Whereas if I had seen them all together, the element number would’ve been basically meaningless - just an interesting way to name paintings that don’t really have names.
So, in that case, I thank you for the opportunity to have more attached meaning to this than would’ve otherwise been allowed.
He’s incredibly skilled. I love his subtle use of light and color. I’ve never seen one of his paintings in person but they are enormous. I bet it’s a sight to see
Agreed - although I didn’t realize about the size, that’s even more incredible. I’ll have to see if there’s any around me.
