Oxygen plays this paradoxical duality role of creation and destruction. This indispensable element is not only crucial for cell development and survival; it also played an extremely important role in the evolution of single-celled prokaryotes organisms to more complex multi-cellular organisms like the human being. It is essential for humans and many other organisms to survive. However, oxygen also has this evil side that plays a big role in cellular destruction due to its highly reactive species, known as free radicals, formed from internal chemical reactions and generated by various external sources. Antioxidants prevent reactive oxygen species from scattering its damaging effects throughout the body. This combat between antioxidants and free radicals never finishes unless the individual does not eat or get the necessary nutrients that have high antioxidant content. If that were the case, free radicals would triumph and contribute a susceptible risk of cellular damage; the pathway for cancer, aging and other detrimental diseases.
The major theme behind my inspired work focuses on the ongoing battle between antioxidants and free radicals. I portrayed this with a war like atmosphere of soldiers fighting against each other, of death and chaos.
Oxygen is an element that is responsible in the evolution of multi-cellular organisms. Without it, we would not exist. Thus, I incorporated this aspect into my art work because it is the relevant "ingredient" that started human life. The good side of oxygen was represented as imprisoned soldiers who were labelled in light blue army gear, behind bars. I choose the color blue because I believe that it represents water, another essential component of life. The reason behind choosing this color is because I couldn't draw a transparent color and I wanted to differentiate them from the other soldiers. Therefore, I choose blue to represent oxygen being an essential entity, as is water. Moreover, the prison cell symbolizes the separation of oxygen's alter ego, the evil side of oxygen.
Oxygen is a vital element that can be highly reactive when it undergoes chemical reactions and thus produces free radicals. These harmful species partake in chain reactions that can lead to cellular damage. In my art work, these free radicals are represented as unstable soldiers who initiated an attack in the human body. They are differentiated from the other soldiers by its red army gear. This color represents evil, death, power and unstableness. Another aspect that is relevant for the free radicals is the staircase and the soldiers climbing the sides of the base. The staircase represents the metabolic process in the human body, this of which free radicals are formed as by-products. Also, the soldiers climbing the base symbolize the external sources that generate free radicals such as sun exposure, smoking and polluted air.
Antioxidants are inhibitors and prevent excessive free radicals from damaging cells and tissues by transferring electrons and ceasing the propagation process. We continuously generate free radicals in our body; therefore, antioxidants are needed in order to reduce the concentration of their opponents. In my art work, the antioxidants are represented as soldiers in orange army gear, fighting against the free radicals. I choose this color because I thought it was vibrant and symbolized life and endurance. Also, it is the same color as oranges; fruits that are antioxidant-rich. These soldiers are determined to fight off the excess free radicals from damaging cells, tissues and genetic materials.
In my artwork, I made a pyramid with a slanted hour glass at its peak. The pyramid represents human development and the hour glass represents time. The importance that this pyramid plays in my creative piece is the basis of what the free radicals desire; to continue the propagation of chain reactions throughout the body. These reactions affect human development because it negatively affects cellular maturation and growth. The hour glass symbolizes the passage of time and the unavoidable decline of human life. The reason why I slanted the hour glass is to show that without the harmful effect of free radicals, one's life-span is unaffected by these reactive species; allowing time to play its natural course. However, if the free radicals were to triumph over the antioxidants, the slanted hour glass would be vertically aligned, hastening the effects of aging and cellular damages that can lead to diseases.
Finally, the base of my art work was constructed in order to maximize detail and space. I chose two levels; the lower level representing hell and the upper representing a war like atmosphere. For the lower level, it is where the radicals reside and I choose this theme of "hell" to depict evil, darkness and instability. The background was a simple panoramic picture of flames; my ideal and simplistic representation of hell. For the upper level, the antioxidants are in combat against the free radicals and the dark gray background gives a war like atmosphere.
Evidently, Organic Chemistry and various other sciences allow individuals to understand and decipher complex organisms, molecules and reactions in everyday life. With the help of these fields, we are able to study and learn about the human body and the environment; knowledge of which is essential in order to grow and adapt to the ever changing world that we live in.