buying BOTANICAL GOTHIC: AURAS, GHOSTS, AND POISONS is a largely experimental series produced using equal parts alchemy, science, and sunshine. It often surprises people to learn that these dramatic colors are produced on plain black and white photographic papers by painting with light and chemistry using a cameraless photographic process known as lumen printing. Botanical materials and other objects are placed in direct contact with the paper and exposed using sunlight for hours, or sometimes, days. Many variables effect the final results and they become an indexical record of information specific to the time, weather, and physical content of the materials used. Each photographic paper yields a different palette, and every combination of organic chemistry produces new colors. Time is used as a paintbrush, and humidity manipulated into patterns.
The process is ephemeral, and the as yet discovered ways of stabilizing the images tend to alter the colors, so I often faithfully photograph or scan the originals and print them to approximate scale on one hundred percent cotton rag paper using archival inks. Sometimes I will fix the images in photographic fixer to change the color deliberately or soak the prints in a solution of gold chloride to deepen the colors, all the way to black if desired. It is an addictive process for one who enjoys botany, science, and experimentation.
I often use invasive or toxic plants in my work, which removes them from the landscape. Plus, I don't have to feel guilty about them giving up the ghost for my artwork.
Ghost pipes are not fungi but colorless, chlorophyll-less plants. They live symbiotically with tree roots on the forest floor.
Product code: BOTANICAL GOTHIC: buying Poisons, Ghosts, and Auras, Golden GHOSTPIPES, Scanned Lumen Print by Anne Eder