The Story of this Magic Table was started approximately at 10 o’clock in the morning of September 25, 2000. I was sitting in a lobby of the hotel just after Applied Superconductivity Conference in Virginia Beach and waiting my friend Jesper Mygind for realizing our free Saturday program. Suddenly, my look was attracted by a table in the center of the lobby. Instead of usual legs, a glass plate has been supported by plasters of dolphins botched of gyps. Dolphins were rather ugly but in general the composition looked interesting.

Suddenly, an idea has pierced me: what if I replace these ugly gyps dolphins by beautiful natural seashells? What if combine these legs of big and small seashells by transparent epoxy? I started to discuss these questions intensively with Jesper. To my surprise, he knew some examples of table with epoxy plate that keep some things melted there forever. Or legs can combine small shells, money, any things fixed by a huge volume of epoxy.

I realized it only in process of the job with shells. When we tested first shell with light, impressions overcame all expectations. Usually the reaction of people seeing these shining shell first time could be described the most closely by one expression: AAh!

Due to “fire-place light” this Pink (Queen) Conch is so attractive that practically in all imaginary variants of a table it was as top part of the legs.

Then I started to gather shells to create the legs. I gathered them from all over the world. I did not have clear idea and one variant changed another before the final realization. Some intermediate tests were made in process. I gathered shells from all places that I visited: Virginia Beach, Naples, Crete, Mallorka, Mastrand, Fish Church, ... . Finally, one more effective way has been found: through the Internet. The E-bay Auction proved to be a good place to support my collection. The main source is Florida. One attractive Pink Conch of 12” size took the record 16 bids for me to win.

Then design!? How many variants I tried and tested (especially in mind) it is difficult to count. Giant King Helmets changed position from second from the top to bottom, from horizontal to vertical and back.

Finally, the King Helmets were replaced by bended Florida Whelks. This shell has been fit more organically in the idea of elegant line and shape of leg realization.

Bottom part was thinking in Renaissance style: maximum bended and decorated. Florida Whelk helped to create this line.

However, this this variant on the right was too tilted, too high and was not accepted. It exists only as fragment.

The finally accepted variant is shown on the left. Clump shell for steps finalized this idea.

Nice Brawnlip Oysters were rejected after some hesitations due to different style (not fitted for the bottom part of the leg based on Florida Whelk).

However, they were used for “perpetuum mobile” driven forever from the usual candle.

(private collection of V. Semenov, Stony-Brook)

Clams, Corals, Murex Ramosus, Abalone were tested for the table

In process of work I have discovered that this beauty of shells is described by Fibonacci Numbers and the “Golden Ratio”. This spiral development of shell is well described by famous Fibonacci spiral.

I started to buy books on this subject and see more carefully on this beauty of life described by the most straightforward mathematical relations. This Fibonacci numbers describe the principle of optimal packing and possibly due to this reason they give the maximum aesthetic impression.

But the most impressive creator is Nature. I could not still understand what push our Nature to create this beauty: Murex Ramosus (second shell in the leg). You see how many “fingers” and coral-type appendices are created on this shell without clear reason: for what?

To show variety of variants and fragments I can demonstrate you only one working idea:

Due to old Greece mythology our sky is held by Atlants.

Our activity is related with the space: why not to use this legend to support a glass sky?

OK, but where to find their image?

I refreshed the image and started to create my own imaginations using Cowrie-Helmet:

My imagination of Atlant is a little bit different from the Hermitage presentation but who knows what they look like?

Maybe my image proved to be closer to reality?

At least it’s known that they led mainly a marine underwater life. In this sense my realization possibly is closer to truth than these marble statues.

Really, the image of Atlants could be very different.

This image was derived by computer by imputing eyes that are on Temples of Tibet.† From that picture there is evidence that Atlants (or Lemurians) lived a half undersea life style (Ernest Muldashev. "Where Did We Come From” )

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The fragment of the foot is possibly closer to Hermitage analogue. For some moment of table development, I planned to use these fragments as the final feet of Atlant’s legs.

Finally I decided not to mix a mythology and the beauty of shells themselves in this table.

But what to do with these Atlants’ fragments?? Feet are ready for use. The head – also. May be sometime, somewhere … Feet are rather big (powerful Atlants stimulated them) and can be used only for a really big (or mythological) table.

I have one striking idea how to use the realized Atlant’s head for illustration of famous effect of "Andreev Reflection". At least "Reflection" will be very persuading!

Of course, I don’t know how Andreev will react on this interpretation? Possibly he will be proud by this strengthening of his image. Transformation of electrons to holes in this effect can be illustrated with help of "Perpetuum Mobile" (driven by a usual candle)

Sketch of possible illustration of "Andreev Reflection". Figures on the propeller should be replaced by "-" and "+" coresponding to electrons and holes. Driven by laser beams from the eyes of "Andreev" (and with some help of a candle underneath) the minus should be replace by the plus after reflection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first test model of Chalmers table (existing now only in photo)

 

 

 

The greatest luck was to find Murex Ramosus as the second shell. Long time the position of Murex was horizontal looking down by opening. In this case there was a light connection with next Abalone underneath the second glass. In first variant the light was planned from an open Abalone. But we would lose a face side of the Murex with this nice opening for our seeing in this case. Fortunately, a revolutionary decision appeared before final realization: to place this shell vertically (so that we can see opening) and to create another artificial opening in the bottom of shell to irradiate light to Abalone from Murex. The second advantage was that we avoid open light from Abalone: my strong belief is that we should avoid an open light in this magic table.

The whole process took more than three years. All types of Epoxy and Glass-silicon were tested. To my surprise, the simplest (but most natural) Russian epoxy won this competition. All shells were properly cut, adjusted, and glued. It is difficult to say how many man-hours were spent for this job. It is clear only that this work would never have been finished if I didn’t enjoy it. The ability to combine lifeless pieces of sea production and see the creation of something attractive… reminds me of giving life to these products of the sea using available methods and material and showing the infinite beauty of our Nature (and understanding better by myself).

The great moment is, of course, ignition of light inside the shells.

The last steps are to hide wires. The finish is close.

In the process of working on the table the word magic appeared in use. Of course it’s related tp a magic attractive light from the Pinch Conch. But who knows …

If you look inside the table you can see many reflections creating a really magic world of this creation:

Two magic forces are well known in the world: running water and fire. I am trying to create the third magic force: a romantic world of light emitted from these intrigue seashells.

At last, the long-awaited finish! The three years of creative/imaginative/tantalizing work are finished! 

Now – enjoy, imagine, enjoy!

What is my activity: Art? Trade? Simply hobby?

It was difficult for me to find an answer and I decided to check the opinions of famous artists: what was the Art for them. Then we can see how it could be fit in my activity if any?

‘… seems for me above all a state of soul’ Marc Chagall.

– hmmm… It looks just a purpose of my work to create special state of soul by magnificent light from these shells. I hope the third magic force would help me to do it.

‘… is either plagiarism or revolution’  Paul Gauguin. 

– Let’s analyse: Plagiarism – I don’t  know really any analogue in the world. Revolution – looks too strong. Nevertheless, it’s plagiarism but direct plagiarism from Nature. The best production has been chosen and arranged to show the best features of Nature’s creations.

‘ Choose only one master - Nature ’   Rembrandt van Rijn.  

– It’s really true in this case and correlates with previous discussion: all what I am doing is an attempt to show the infinite beauty of the Nature. My role is rather moderate: I am only trying to combine some amazing pieces created by Nature and give a new life to these lifeless beautiful shells

‘ I want to touch people with my art ’  Vincent van Gogh.   

– Yes, it’s really a purpose of my work!

How do I manage to do it – you judge .

Yes, the STORY is finished. In some sense it’s a pity because it was a nice exciting story, beautiful creative time, and now … it’s finished. Fortunately, it was a Story with the happy ending. 

But let’s hope that the Story is not finished: prolongation is following!

Now it’s your opportunity to express your impressions about the main creation of this Story - Magic Table:

mailto:leonid.kuzmin@mc2.chalmers.se