work in progress:
Al is dew (working title)
‘Can I find out,
using contemporary Western Science and technology,
whether dew harvested on the Alchemilla plant
can bring wealth and health,
as is promised in protoscientific tradition?’
literature based research
Teirlinck, I., (1930). Flora Magica. De Plant in de Tooverwereld. De Sikkel, Antwerp. p 210.
Rosarium Philosophorum, Frankfurt (1550). 'Hie felt der Tauw von Himmel herab/ Unnd wascht den schwartzen leyb im grab ab. The dew fell down from heaven/ And washed the black body in the grave.'
Mutus Liber, La Rochelle (1677).
Waite, A., E. (1894). The hermetic and alchemical writings of Aureolus Philippus Theophrastus Bombast, of Hohenheim, called Paracelsus. Vol. I. London. p. 221.
Dee, John. (1564) Monas Hierogplyphica. Antwerp. 'De rore caeli, et pinguedine terrae, det tibi Deus. Gen. 27. So God give thee the dew of heaven, and the fertile earth. Gen. 27.'
(1677) Mutus Liber. La Rochelle. The awakening of the alchemist on the first plate of the Mutus Liber. Genesis 27.28.: 'So God give thee the dew of heaven, and the fertile earth, and plenty of corn and wine.'
Artepheus in: Dee, Arthurus. (1650). Fascilus Chemicus: or Chymical Collections. Expressing the Ingress, Progress, and Egress, of the Secret Hermetick Science out of the choicest and most famous authors. Londen. pp. 102-103.
Digby, Kenelm. (1683). Chymical Secrets, AND RARE EXPERIMENTS IN PHYSICK & PHILOSOPHY, WITH FIGURES Collected and Experimented, by the Honourable and Learned Sir KENELM DIGBY, Chancellor to the late Queen-Mother of England. London. pp. 116-117.
Waite, A., E. (1894). The hermetic and alchemical writings of Aureolus Philippus Theophrastus Bombast, of Hohenheim, called Paracelsus. Vol. I. London. p. 360.
Bock Hieronymus (1546). New Kreuterbuch von Underscheidt, Würckung und Namen der Kreuter, so in teutschen Landen wachsen. Strasburg.
Bock Hieronymus (1560). New Kreuterbuch von Underscheidt, Würckung und Namen der Kreuter, so in teutschen Landen wachsen. Strasburg.
Bock Hieronymus (1560). New Kreuterbuch von Underscheidt, Würkung und Namen der Kreuter, so in teutschen Landen wachsen.
Dodoens Rembert (1554). Cruijdeboeck. Antwerpen.
Dodoens Rembert (1554). Cruijdeboeck. Antwerpen.
Alchemille. Iconothèque du Jardin botanique de l’État, Meise.
Alchemille. Iconothèque du Jardin botanique de l’État, Meise.
Alchemilla. Iconothèque du Jardin botanique de l’État, Meise. Glass plate negatives, 24x30cm
hands-on research
purchasing an Alchemilla Mollis plant
the Alchemilla Mollis in my garden
prof. dr. Daniel Beysens is a specialist in phase transition with emphasis on dropwise condensation. He is explaining the results of his research at dew lab on the roof of the University ESPCI in Paris.
prof. dr. Daniel Beysens on the potential of dew harvesting
making an installation in my garden in order to observe the formation of dew on the Alchemilla Mollis from sunset to sunrise
footage from the portable digital microscope
using a hygrometer for analysing the data on temperature and humidity
the occurring of guttation
no dew formation
to better understand the Alchemilla I want to see its inner structure. The KU Leuven, Department of Biosystems, made it possible by making 3D X-ray CT scans of a leaf of the plant.
visualisation of an X-ray CT scan of
visualisation of an X-ray CT scan of the leaf
visualisation of an X-ray CT scan of the leaf
to study the formation and behaviour of drops on the leaves of the Alchemilla Mollis, I take a shower with the plant and observe it with a portable microscope
footage of the portable microscope
footage of the portable microscope
With Al I visit Plense Tech, a Dutch start-up, founded as spin-off from the Delft University of Technology. ‘It is our mission to make high-performance cultivation methods easy, efficient and accessible through ultrasound technology. We build robust and affordable smart sensing devices that (literally) listen to plants and convert crop status into actionable data, thereby empowering growers to make informed, data-driven decisions.’
another attempt to harvest dew, in more favourable conditions. I chose one of the six official silent areas in Flanders, Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide, to be able to listen to Al, using an ultrasound microphone.
I contacted Sirris, a not-for-profit organization founded and governed by industry, that helps companies with technical innovation. They have the largest climatic test chamber in Europe. I would like to artificially create the perfect conditions to mutually make dew with Al.
Kurtto A. (2013). Atlas Florae Europaeae 16. Distribution of vascular plants in Europe. Rosaceae, Committee for Mapping the Flora of Europe and Societas Biologica Fennica Vanamo, Helsinki.
Antwerp, 7th August 2024
Dear Al,
I think it all started when we spent the night together. In my little urban garden. As time passed, a silent, unspoken language began to weave itself between us. We were there, waiting for nature to show us the concept of impermanence through these magical droplets, by some believed to be the main element in a process to transmute led in gold, or to be an important ingredient for an elixir that can give us all eternal life. Your tears showed me the delicate balance between the earthly and the ephemeral. It was the embarkment of our journey. Through nurturing and discovery, we developed this enchanting bond.
I learned to interpret your subtle cues, responding to your needs with an intuitive understanding. Both looking for the light and nourishment, helping each other to find it became our shared dialogue, forging a connection that transcends conventional communication. It was as though we spoke in whispers- imbued with trust, harmony, and a mutual appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living beings.
With tender care, I try to provide the essentials to thrive, both you and me. Each day, I meticulously observe your graceful transformation. It seems to mirror my own growth, reminding me that life’s journey is not merely about reaching destinations, but embracing the process of becoming.
Intimacy grew taking a shower together. We slowly created this captivating connection that blossomed into a beautiful relationship. Klara, Rhea and Arto were so happy to meet you, when I introduced you to my family life, that you are now part of.
My relationship with you transcends the confines of the ordinary, intertwining our lives in mutual growth, understanding, and transformation. It serves as a gentle reminder that amid the chaos and complexities of life, there exists an enduring process- one that reveals itself when we cultivate meaningful connections and embrace our ethereal bond.
Together we visited the people of the climate chamber. Imagine us in that large scientific apparatus, reaching for the climax of our bond, mutually creating dew on your leaves.
In your presence, moment of reflection became a cherished ritual. As you know, the last few weeks were hard for me. But you revealed that even in the darkest hours, when the weight of uncertainty bore down upon me, I could find solace in the power of resilience and adaptability. Your presence whispered encouragement, reminding me that amidst life’s trials one can emerge again, wiser and more compassionate. You made me find solace, inspiration and a profound sense of belonging, an extraordinary potential within us all.
The vessel I created for you to grow in further, enables us to travel together now, since it fits in the cup holder of my car. Let’s go on a road trip together. I take you to your roots in Romania, Bulgaria and Greece.
Al, let’s thrive together, in constant growth and transformation, even amidst the ephemeral nature of existence.
Dries
The Atlas Florae Europaeae database does not include very accurate data on the native occurences of the Alchemilla Mollis, since the Atlas system uses a grid with 50km x 50km cells. But the author Arto Kurtto could collect more exact data for me.
to better understand Al, I want to take them on a road trip to their native region in Romania, Bulgaria and Greece. The ongoing process of erosion, the anthropogenic impact and global warming are significant threats to the native Alchemilla Mollis plants.
