Paul Slot

CumLaude

Prizes: Melkweg Award Nominee

Department: Public Private

Genetically Modified Objects

In his self-built laboratory, Paul Slot has chemically altered samples of linden wood, giving them new properties. With its sweet natural smell and long flexible fibres, linden wood is one of our lightest and softest hardwoods. Its fibres consist of lignin and cellulose. Through a thorough application of various toxic compounds, Paul has completely dissolved the lignin, draining the wood of strength and colour. By infiltrating the fragile cellulose skeleton with chemical resins he then created a new material: transparent and four times stronger than the original wood. Searching for the bigger picture at microscopic level, this project is a reflection on the consequences of our power as humans to alter our natural environment.