Syngamy

The union of two gametes to form a zygote in fertilization. syn´gamous

This sculpture represents the process called chemotaxis as defined by Friedrich and Julicher in PNAS August 14, 2007, vol. 104, no. 33.

Sperm cells of many species are guided to the egg by chemoattractants, a process called chemotaxis. Motor proteins in the flagellum of the sperm generate a regular beat of the flagellum, which propels the sperm in a fluid. In the absence of a chemoattractant, sperm swim in circles in two dimensions and along helical paths in three dimensions. Chemoattractants stimulate a signaling system in the flagellum, which regulates the motors to control sperm swimming.

Syngamy's subtitle is "The Conception of Phantasos". Phantasos is the brother of Morpheus and Phobetor (sons of the Greek God Hypnos ) who inhabit the dream world. Phantasos appears in dreams in the form of inanimate objects. Life is based on the inanimate - arrangements of "chemicals" vibrating in response to each other, directing one another.... creating you and me out of  the ether of a dream.

Syngamy is composed of the following elements:

Metal Marble - The two spherical objects at the ends of Syngamy are Metal Marbles. Metal Marbles are discussed in About Metal Marbles.

 Iridescent Fused Glass - The inner ring is composed of two sheets of gold fusing glass with the addition of mica and small black glass chunks (frit) which all together form the mottled pattern. The combination of these elements was chosen to create the overall harmony with the other glass elements as well as the other ring. Iridescent glass as defined by the Spectrum Glass company: "A surface treatment in which a layer of metallic oxide is bonded to the hot glass surface just after sheet-forming, resulting in a colorful, shimmering effect." The iridized glass, as is all of the glass for for Syngamy, if from the Bullseye glass company. Again, the integration of metal and glass used to create the iridescent glass was important for the overall theme of this series.

Solid Surface Material - The outer ring of Syngamy is composed of Corian-like solid surface material made by the Avonite company. This particular style is called Copper Mine, and was chosen for its color, pattern, and depth qualities to harmonize with the other elements of Syngamy. It was turned on a lath at two thousand rpm and shaped using regular wood turning gouges.

The two ends of Syngamy were formed from pieces of lathe turned Corian which were then sent our for copper plating.

Tourch-worked Glass - The many gametes (32) which act as connectors of the middle to the ends of Syngamy were formed using Bullseye glass at a torch. The glass is fused onto copper rods using enamels as the 'wetting' flux agent so that the glass will stick to the copper when heated to a glowing state. A base of black glass is formed and then various metals (gold, silver, copper) are applied to the surface and put through complex stages of oxidation and reduction flames producing the final colors.