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SPONTANEOUS HEMOFERRIC

OXIDATION (SHO)

I’ve very much interested in the overlap between science and art. Using art as a means to create my own system for understanding the world.

 

Most recently I began to explore the idea of rust as a potential fictitious affliction of the body, mind and environment. Existing outside of its expected locations and allowing the impossible to be considered probable.

 

From this I created a disease called Spontaneous Hemoferric Oxidation. Wherein the iron that is naturally present within the body spontaneously begins to convert to rust until the patient's affected organs and bones become corroded beyond repair and the brain ultimately dies from the loss of the ability to transport oxygen to the cells via the infected hemoglobin.

 

I then presented my findings during the Lightening Lectures at the ICA and for my final I then put together a room that acted as a manifestation of the mindset of an rust stricken individual as they attempted to understand what they believed was happening to them. 

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:

<< Spontaneous Hemoferric Oxidation (SHO) is a newly discovered disease wherein the iron that is naturally present within the body spontaneously begins to convert to rust as it would in the outside environment.

 

Iron is an essential mineral and component of hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to transport it throughout the body. Without adequate iron levels, the body can't make enough healthy oxygen-carrying red blood cells and without oxygen the body will ultimately fail.

 

Rust, or Iron Oxide, is formed by the redox reaction of iron and oxygen in the presence of water or air moisture. Over time, the oxygen combines with the iron at an atomic level, forming a new compound called an oxide and weakening the bonds of the iron itself. When iron rusts, the oxides take up more volume. This expansion can generate enormous forces, damaging structures where iron exists.

 

SYMPTOMS:

The presence of rust on bones and organs inhibits their ability to function and will in time lead to disintegration and require transplantation of healthy tissue to continue life

Large rust growths can protrude from the body and may be mistaken for tumors 

Hypoxia (body deprived of oxygen)

Patients present symptoms of anemia as their iron is converted to rust and is unable to act normally within the body. This leads to: Extreme fatigue, Weakness, Pale skin, Shortness of breath, Chest pain, Headache, Dizziness, Cold hands and feet, Fast heartbeat, Pica (Unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances, such as ice, dirt or starch)

 

LOCATION:

Affects all parts areas of the body where iron exists: hemoglobin, bone marrow, liver, spleen, intestines, duodenum 

 

TREATMENTS:

Iron supplementation via blood transfusions or iron pills or dietary changes

Rust removal surgery and protective coating application

Anti rusting agent (rust converter)

 

CAUSES:

At this time we do not know what causes the iron to spontaneously convert into rust within our bodies

Research is underway to further understand this disease and discover better treatment options 

 

Depending on the time of diagnosis and rate of growth, patients with Spontaneous Hemoferric Oxidation may either have usual human life expectancies following the successful application of currently available treatments and with vigilant monitoring of rust levels in the body. The other outcome is a slow and painful death as their affected organs and bones become corroded beyond repair and they lose the ability to transport oxygen until their cells die from hypoxia and the brain becomes permanently damaged. >>

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