CH3COONa, sodium acetate, is the sodium salt of acetic acid. Its solution becomes crystallized when a seed crystal gets into a cooled supersaturated solution. Crystallization can also be initiated by movement or vibration. The Idea of the Project Direct interaction between the human body and the chemical substance occurs. The oversaturated solution is poured into a glass tank (180X70X70cm). Then a performer equipped with a breathing tube plunges into the tank. At some point crystallization provoked by the performer starts. In about 20-30 min the body is completely covered with crystal and an observer loses sight of him. At the final stage the performer is freed. After that, crystals are dissolved for a long time until the solution becomes transparent again. The performer is predominantly tasked with monitoring the substance as well as interacting with the liquid and crystalline solid to some extent. When the performer submerges, he virtually finds himself in anti-gravity, the state which is dramatically different from both the liquid and the gas state of matter.

While being in the solution, the performer is constantly focused on the potency of the liquid to change into a new state of matter, to crystallize. He keeps his eye on the process not to miss the beginning. After the onset of crystal formation, the performer’s attention switches to the gradually changing environment around him. Crystal formation is exothermic, which is dangerous to the performer’s body just like the supersaturated solution. That is why he is also partly focused on ensuring his reasonable safety in the given conditions. As a result, the performer is stuck in the thick crystal mass for a certain time (from 20 to 50 minutes), then he is freed. The product of the performance is a living testimony to the interaction of the human body and the substance during its transition from the liquid to the crystalline state. The project explores boundaries of body perception, сommunication between human and matter at the macro and micro level, the somatic and kinesthetic potential of living being in the unusual conditions.