Making the Cafe Morte Work

My intention was to disperse the dust, to dissect it and present it on microscopic slides to hint at it being viewed under a microscope, and therefore examined in closer detail. I was hesitant to start making the slides because I didn't know what glue to use - I really didn't want it to be smudgy and obvious like the awful Schism/perspex incident...... I used some sort of fabric glue because it dried pretty clear when I tested it out on plastic and then glass. I dabbed a tiny bit on with a paintbrush and then sprinkled some dust over the top. It seems to have worked fairly well, the glue is more obvious on some slides than others but I am reassured by people asking how the dust is staying on, so it can't be too conspicuous.

My aim by the exhibition was to have photographed each slide individually (like the one below) and to have made postcards from the images so that people could take them and in a way the dust would be dispersed back into the surrounding area and beyond. Unfortunately I didn't have the time or access tot he right equipment to do this - I really need to invest in a camera that takes good quality macro images, I need one so often in my work. I tried first on a dslr camera but even the macro setting wouldn't pick up the detail. I then tried on my phone because I had taken the one below quite successfully using it, but the quality wasn't good enough to make postcards. it is really frustrating to have to give up on an idea, bt if the work is to be shown again I will definitely give it another go because I think they would make really lovely images.