Oracle

This sculpture was my first exploration into captive vessel combustion, built primarily from 16-gauge stainless steel. The material offered a broad surface for radiant heat, giving the piece a glowing, sculptural presence — especially at night. At its peak, a vortex generator channeled built-up hot gases through tangential ducting toward a central point, where vaporized methanol was introduced to fuel an intense combustion effect.

To expand its complexity, I incorporated eight additional combustion ports, each using a unique gas mixture. With seven adjustable parameters on the central element alone, the sculpture became a highly nuanced system. Designing and operating the control panel pushed my technical understanding forward, teaching me how to balance dramatic fire effects with efficient, responsive control in real time.

The sculpture’s name, form, and concept were born from a vivid dream—one that still feels like a fragment of a much larger, untold story. It stands as a synthesis of technical innovation and subconscious vision, marking a significant evolution in my creative practice.