Visual art is a vast field, covering everything from marble sculptures to fine charcoal landscapes on paper. However, [Evelyn Rosenberg] By making his explosive-formed detonograph, over the years some have experimented with completely more radical techniques.
The process of making a detonograph begins with sketching a design and using it to create a plaster mold. The mold exists as a base relief, over which metal sheets are spread. Different metals may be layered to create different effects and other items such as leaves, branches or lace may also be included in the stack up.
Then, the metal plate sitting on top of the mold is covered with explosive powder. When it explodes, it combines everything with tremendous energy. The metal sheet bears the negative form of a bus relief mold, as well as picks up impressions from any leaf or other object covered in different layers. Different metals included in the stack-up can also be welded together during this process.
With some post-processing such as polishing and chemical treatment, the result is a beautiful metallic work of art full of dimensions and details. It’s a bit like the industrial process of casting explosives industrially. Video after the break.