Stained Glass Series Depicting Plastic Molecules

2022–ongoing

​

Traditional stained glass, lead came, coloured glass, fused glass, backlit

PET(C10H8O4) - 2022,
Ethylene (C2H4) - 2024,
PVC(C2H3Cl)n - 2023,
Polypropylene(C3H6)n - 2024, Polystyrene(C8H8)n - 2023,
Polycarbonate (CO-O-pPh-C(CH3)2-pPh-O)n) - 2025,
PMMA(C5H8O2) - 2025

 

Mona Young-eun Kim explores how the value of materials shifts across cultures and throughout history.

 

In this speculative narrative, where Plasticus succeeds humanity, plastic, now regarded as a low value material, becomes a fundamental resource.

 

As the sole source of sustenance for these new species, it gradually acquires an almost sacred aura.

 

The compositions are based on the molecular structure of different types of plastics, reimagined as stained glass. Functioning as icons or mandalas, they reveal the spiritual beauty of a material that is both impure and salvific.

 

Presented as backlit lightboxes, they emit artificial light in place of the sun.