Finished!

Written By Phil Smith

The Periodic Table of Elements project is essentially done. I say “essentially” because I tend to tweak works during the days and weeks that follow.

The project was conceived in 2013 or so, but was executed on-and-off across almost 3 years. Each panel measures 8 inches by 8 inches and features multi-media elements like acrylic paint, beads, sand, glass, foil, stones, and whatever else I could find. The 118 panels and hardware that connects them weigh about 70 pounds. The entire piece measures about 13 feet long by 6.5 feet high and is securely attached to the wall using a French cleat method. Elements named after individuals are highlighted with the honoree’s name and their date of birth and death. The gases and one liquid element (bromine) consist of acrylic letters fused to a 1/4 sheet of clear acrylic sheet. Mercury is unique in that it was fashioned from wood, clay, and resin in an effort to capture it’s unique characteristics.

As I’ve written about in a previous post, I’ve been fasciated by the Period Table since I was a kid. I’m not sure why I was drawn to the diagram first conceived by Dmitri Mendeleev; perhaps it has something to do with the awe it inspires when one considers that the table effectively lists all the ingredients that compose matter in the universe (it’s worth noting that this constitutes only 4% of the universe - 96% is composed of dark matter and dark energy). Elements considered essential to terrestrial life are called out using the classic hexagon-shaped organic chemistry symbol.

Each panel is a thing in itself, but it is fun to take them all in at once. I am very pleased with the result, and quite thankful that we actually had a wall to display my madness! You can see each panel here.

Many thanks to the following suppliers:

Phil Smith
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Lanthanides and Actinides