The Elemental Kingdom Project

The psalmist proclaims that the heavens declare the glory of God. Creation speaks to us that God is great and glorious. As caretakers of creation, humanity is called to fill, subdue, tend, and keep God’s creation. In chemistry, we have the privilege to probe the details of God’s handiwork and explore the universe in all its grandeur by working to understand how atoms form molecules and solids and by manipulating these atoms and molecules into interesting and valuable substances.

Elements, in the form of atoms, are at the heart of chemistry. For the chemist, the periodic table graphically organizes a wealth of chemical knowledge and wisdom regarding the properties and interactions of atoms. As such, it is a valuable tool for chemical investigations. A single figure summarizes the entire science of chemistry. Moreover, the periodic table has an aesthetic character as a work of art, symbolizing the material potential inherent in creation, and humanity’s potential unfold the creation.

In light of this aesthetic character, the Chemistry Department is commissioning a new work of art for the Maatman Chemistry wing of the recently renovated Science & Technology Center. We are calling this commission The Elemental Kingdom, a recognition that all creation, including atoms and molecules, belong to the Kingdom of God. Faculty artist Matt Drissell has conceived of a beautiful design for this work. Through the very substances that chemists manipulate—paints, pigments, wood—this work of art will portray the periodic table as both the summary of fundamental chemical laws and a work of art, inviting students, alumni, and visitors into the fascinating part of creation that is chemistry.

We encourage you to participate in creating this new work of art by sponsoring the creation of one of the element panels. Russell Maatman, with his wife Jean, after his retirement from 25 years of service a Professor of Chemistry, personally funded the Chemistry Honors Scholarship. Our goal with The Elemental Kingdom Project is to fully endow this scholarship fund. Thus, your sponsorship of an element panel will provide scholarship support to chemistry majors for many years to come. As a thank you for that sponsorship, your name, if you so choose, will be added to the panel acknowledging your support of this fund.

In a spirit of fun and fellowship, we have set up the fundraiser as an auction. You may participate as an individual or team up with friends or family.  Each element has been assigned a suggested minimum gift bid value, starting as low as $100. From the "View Items" list at the top of the page, select the element you are interested in bidding on and you will be directed to that element's bid page.  Or use the search box and enter the element name. The elements are listed in atomic number order, and they are grouped by common regions of the periodic table to aid in your selection. From there, follow the instructions to place your bid. Some elements have a "buy now" option that allows you to sponsor that panel and close bidding on that option. You will need to register on BiddingOwl to participate in the auction. When the auction is complete, high bidders will be contacted with payment instructions and to find out how they would like their name displayed on the element panel. The auction will continue until Dec. 27, 2018.

The Dordt College Chemistry Department

The Art

The commissioned work will be a wall-sized periodic table. Each element will be presented using a separate panel as illustrated in the sample to the right. Each panel will illustrate the unique character of that element. The overall size of the finished periodic table will be 4 feet tall and 19 feet long and will be located in the hallway outside of the organic chemistry laboratory.

Artist Statement

My Grandfather was a chemist, working 40 years in the industry, first as analytical chemist with Mallinckrodt Chemical, and later as president and CEO of Forma Scientific. I fondly recall his stories of these experiences - learning German in order to read the only chemistry textbooks available in the 1950's, or his travels as a salesman hawking chemicals from a briefcase. Being an art professor has led me in a different direction distant from the chemistry lab; my explorations take place in the art studio.

And yet, The Elemental Kingdom Project brings chemistry and visual art together. To begin with, the media itself is rooted in the lab - its resonance and permanence are thanks to chemists and their creativity. I then draw with the charcoal, graphite, and ink, creating lines and shapes that suggest atoms, orbits, and structures. Subsequent colors are added indirectly with thin layers of paints, further enhancing and defining the imagery. These marks and glazes though are abstract, elaborations stretching expectations.

This tension between complexity and clarity well describes chemistry and visual art - both explore mystery. This series is a tribute to all who undertake this endeavor.

Matt Drissell, Professor of Art