projectanon2017

[projectanon2017]

the grass pie, 13th Sep.

William (Chair of jury BADAward), Angelique( Director of MU space, Eindhoven) and Heather(the project collaborator, senior researcher at Department of Environment and Health, VU) planed to visit ADM today but which have to be canceled due to the orange alarm of a storm. Also Yanbin can not manage to come to help either.

However, the weather inside ADM turns out ok this afternoon. So I started to slice the grass layer and reserve them.

just after I opened the grass layer, some human traces appears immediately: a blue straw and a bottle cup.

the grass pie!

the end of the day

hope the rain stops tomorrow

[projectanon2017]

it starts, 12th Sep.

We(with ZHU Yanbin, the project assistent) started the prepareation today.

We have done three main things today.

1. move all the tools and machines to the site

2. measure and mark the spot (52°25'08.2"N 4°47'54.1"E)

3. test the camera position and build a shelter for it to protect from the rain.

we will start digging tomorrow

[projectanon2017]

sorting Machine v2.0 and the new spot,7th Sep.

Upgrade the Sorting machine into 2.0 version.

the main upgrade is the control panel. Got this control module from Bart. He used to use this module to control the spinning theater stage. Also the power input of the engine(thanks to Davide) has changed to Y connection which is for 380v. 

The function of the control module is to convert the 220v input into 380v to feed the engine. In addtion, it can control the running direction and speed of the tub, which is really helpful!

I also added a board for feeding the soil easily. Lets see how it works!

The new spot of the project

It may be a better option compare with that in front of the papillon, since there is less traffic and not a walking path. I have already checked with all neighbour around the area and they are kindly ok with it. 

Then I did some soil sampling on the site, and the condition is similar compare with that of the papillon

[projectanon2017]

the realization plan of the Intervention, 24th Aug.

1. Project description

The project “Anon.” (short for anonymous) is an artistic intervention in geological history which aims to investigate the entanglements of culture, technology and nature. With help of scientific methodologies, field and laboratory techniques, the project plans to extract and erase human fine traces (such as artifacts, microplastic fragments, industrial chemicals and other types of homo-matters that are generated by human activities) within a one square meter area of reclaimed land (one of the significant features of Dutch geology). By extracting the traces of human activity in soil, the question of how to define ‘human traces’ is raised. Devoid of its ‘artificial’ elements, the remediated soil will be put back into its original location and become an archeological puzzle for future intelligent beings – while we are left in this age of the Anthropocene with questions surrounding the essence of human activities and the relation between the ‘hyperobjects’ and the world.

2. Location

The location of the 1m2 will be at the Papillon area.

Specifically, will be either A or B. Since I heard the stage may not be taken down, so the B point will be more feasible. 

Although I will work on an one square meter land, but the project may take a 4m x 4m area, since there will be tools, machines, tanks etc.

There are several reasons for choosing the area:

a. It has more human traces in this area, since there are lots of human activities

b. It close to the water, which leads to more material exchange.

c. The rubble layer is not too thick so it is suitable for the excavation with spade

for more info about the the soil condiiton of the area:

https://projectanon2017.tumblr.com/post/163292694665/more-details-21st-july

https://projectanon2017.tumblr.com/post/163365986235/another-one-and-halfhole-23rd-july

3.Duration

4th Sep. - 15th Sep. 

The whole process should be able to finish within a week, however I would like to reserve several more days just in case it rains or if there is any other incident...

4. Working plan of the intervention

There will be 6  steps.

a. Soil sampling

In order to check the condition of each layer at the final spot. Soil sampling will be done with a ground drill ( one - two holes) 

b. Grass reserving

Grass layer on the 1m2 spot will be sliced off and reserved in order to recover the land afterward.

c. Excavation, Sampling and Sorting

Excavation：

Under the Grass layer, there will be three layers to dig through: rubble layer, sand layer, grey sand layer. The soil will be dig out with spade and shovel. 

Sampling:

the soil sample of each layer will be reserved and send to the lab at the Dept. of Environment and Health,Vrije Universiteit. With their help, the invisible chemicals(a kind of human traces) will be revealed.

Sorting:

all the soil will go through the sorting machine to separate the rubble(regarded as a kind of human traces) and earth.

d. Soil washing and settling

The soil will be washed after sorting. Then the washing tank will be left until the earth/sand settle down.

e. Filtering

The top layer water will be filtered in order to get flowing human traces(ex. micro-plastic and other types of fragment)

f. Backfill and recover

In the end, the washed soil will be dried and backfill to the hole, the grass layer will be put back.

artist info:

www.guo-cheng.net

chengggguo@gmail.com

[projectanon2017]

Sorting Machine v2.0, 23rd Aug.

I finished the rack of the sorting machine(version 2.0) today. The plan is to drive it with the motor. the fine earth will fall down from the bottom of the washing machine tub and will be collected by the washing tank.

got the idea from 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfIppphmbDg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZjQjf5QKQE

and there are other interesting methods

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb0SVSQlEY8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeCAVTgi45E

After the earth settle down in the washing tank, instead of using the funnel to filter all water in order to get flowing stuff, I’m thinking just filter the top layer  with a fishing net(the net will be replaced by a filter), which may be more effective. 

The bad news is.... I twisted my left foot yesterday and it still swelling and hurt. The doctor in China told me I need to keep still and have some rest and let it cure itself... 

[projectanon2017]

JetLag Festival, 20th Aug

[projectanon2017]

Find the ANON. at Jetlag Festival! 18th Aug.

The work in progress presentation of the collaboration project “Anon. - an intervention in the geological epoch” is showing at the JetLag#3 Festival.

The installation is inside the gate 6 (in front of the ticket office)

The installation presents the tool kits(v1.0) for the soil remediation as well as soil samples from different depth and some human traces(rubbles and other stuff such as bottle caps and glass) 

Project Description:

The project “Anon.” (short for anonymous) is an artistic intervention in geological history which aims to investigate the entanglements of culture, technology and nature. With help of scientific methodologies, field and laboratory techniques, the project plans to extract and erase human fine traces (such as artifacts, microplastic fragments, industrial chemicals and other types of homo-matters that are generated by human activities) within a one square meter area of reclaimed land (one of the significant features of Dutch geology). By extracting the traces of human activity in soil, the question of how to define ‘human traces’ is raised. Devoid of its ‘artificial’ elements, the remediated soil will be put back into its original location and become an archeological puzzle for future intelligent beings – while we are left in this age of the Anthropocene with questions surrounding the essence of human activities and the relation between the ‘hyperobjects’ and the world.

please feel free to contact me if you’d like to share your comments and ideas!

chengggguo@gmail.com

www.guo-cheng.net

[projectanon2017]

the report of the kit testing, 11th Aug.

Did some test with the kit today...

I diged a 40cm x 80cm hole with 25cm depth by the end.

At the beginning I put the soil directly into the sorting tub, but it was too hard to separate soil and rubble since holes on the inner tub are quite small and the soil is wet and sticky.

So I found a pot and drilled many holes(bigger than those on the tub) and made it into a pre-sorting bucket.

it works better but still not very efficient, since I have to shake it manually and to make it running smoothly(not really...), I can only full 1/3 of the bucket once.

then I got some smaller rubble and fine earth.

after several rounds, I got about 10cm earth in the washing tank, then I poured water and started washing.

a  closer look to  the washing tank.

Then I need will wait for the sand settling down.

the grass layer

rubble

The system is quite inefficient and not working well...

small rubble is easy to fall into the space between the inner and outer tub of the sorting machine and make it stuck.

Also, since I need to keep shaking/ knocking the sorting machine to get the earth out, the shape of outer tub has changed badly... which makes it not durable and not suitable for this type of heavy duty work...

well... untill next time

[projectanon2017]

The soil washing tool kit(v 1.0), 10th Aug.

The kit for soil washing (v 1.0).

1. Rough Sorting

separate the earth and rubble with the Sorting machine.

2. Washing and setting

Pour water into the Washing tank and wash the soil with the paddle mixer. Let the sand settles down.

3. Fine Sorting

let the washed water go through the filter funnel to get fine debris.

4. Drying and backfill

let the sand dry and backfill the hole.

The sorting machine composes by a washing machine tub(Thanks Davide!), a trolly frame with wheels, a handle bar and a bucket. 

user instruction:

1. put the soil with rubble into the tub.

2.spin the inner tub manually. the fine earth(separated by the small holes on inner tub) will go through the hole of external tub and be collected by the bucket beneath. 

3. collect the rubble in the inner tub, and pour the fine earth into the washing tank.

I will do some text tomorrow.

[projectanon2017]

A soil washing plan(draft ), 8th Aug.

I made a draft plan for soil washing:

1&2. put the soil on a metal net to separate rubble and earth.

3. put earth inside a container with water(or other solution) and mix(wash) it with a drill(with a paddle mixer bit)

4. let the sand settle...

5. filter the water to get the residue/debris

6. dry the soil, making it ready to be backfilled

filtered some water after soil washing with coffee paper.

I talked with Davide about the draft plan, he gave me some very helpful suggestions. one of them is instead using the metal net, I can build a simple device with the inner tub of washing machine to separate the rubble and earth. 

He said he will help me to make a prototype on Thursday.

Great!

[projectanon2017]

a brief summary, 6th Aug.

Drilled two holes here  today.

I stopped really quickly, since I reached a cable while I was digging the first one.  And the second one has too many roots and the thick rubble layer which is hard to go deeper.

the image above indicates locations that I have check. The blue and red area are close to the warehouse and main road. In the blue area, there is rich soil(too much), rubble layer(too thick) ,sometimes infrastructures (cables...)and I guess sand  underneath. In the yellow area is rich soil, rubble layer, and sand.  The red area seems still the best choice since more human activities happen on that area and also the thickness of each layer is good.

I will make an illustration about the soil layers soon.

[projectanon2017]

Three locations, 4th Aug.

52°25'10.42"N 4°47'51.99"E

This location is by the edge of Papillon area and closer to the road, I was trying to excavate a bigger area(60cm x 60cm)

There is the density of the rubbles layer is greater(lots of rubble...) , maybe  it is due to it closer to the road. 

However the thickness of the rubble layer is the same which is about 15cm, then I reached sand layer.

after about 10cm, I reached a cable... then I stopped, since I would like to avoid damage any infrastructure here...

Also, Adam came to me when I was digging and he notice me that even the place I’m working now is far from the center, it is still not a good choice due to the ADM festival plan...

Here is the map, Although the JETLAG festival is from 18th to 20th Aug.,all the possible sites near canal will be taken from now to 20th Aug. due to the building up of the stage. And I might take about a week to take everything down afterward, but I can do the digging simultaneously if I want.

Therefore I quickly tried another two location which is far from the JETLAG festival...

52°25'9.58"N 4°47'47.73"E

a field inside forest.

view is good but hard to dig... too much rubble, can’t go deeper.

52°25'10.75"N 4°47'48.25"E

same result... it was hard to go deeper. I may need another tool.

got  a company.

Back to my studio (white house)

Bart and Bjorn

Bart saved my life again... He found the roof was collapsing... 

So he found a wood to hold it. hope it will last longer... I asked Bart to walk by when he have time to check if I’m still alive.

Thanks for Bjorn, he moved a lots of stuffs and I got a nice and clean studio.(finally!)

[projectanon2017]

more info about the Solid-Phase Separation. And another (bigger) hole. 4th Aug.

https://frtr.gov/matrix2/section4/4-18.html

http://www.cpeo.org/techtree/ttdescript/separatn.htm

Solid-Phase Separation

Description

Solid-phase separation techniques concentrate contaminants, such as metals and radionuclides, through physical and chemical processes. There are several types of techniques for separating solids from soil. These processes are described below.

Gravity Separation. Gravity separation capitalizes on the density difference between metals and soil. When the metals-contaminated soil is suspended in water, denser materials such as metals sink and are removed.

Gravity separation is a solid/liquid separation process, which relies on a density difference between the phases. Equipment size and effectiveness of gravity separation depends on the solids settling velocity, which is a function of the particles size, density difference, fluid viscosity, and particle concentration (hindered settling). Gravity separation is also used for removing immiscible oil phases, and for classification where particles of different sizes are separated. It is often preceded by coagulation and flocculation to increase particle size, thereby allowing removal of fine particles.

Sieving/Physical Separation. Sieving and physical separation are elementary separation processes. They use sieves and screens to separate different size particles. Most organic and inorganic contaminants tend to bind to the fine fraction of a soil (i.e., clay and silt). Thus, separating the fine clay and silt particles from the coarser sand and gravel soil particles concentrates the contaminants into a smaller volume of soil that can then be further treated or disposed.

Dry Soil Separation. Dry soil separation separates radioactive particles from clean soil particles. In this process, radionuclide-contaminated soil is excavated and screened to remove large rocks. Large rocks are crushed and placed with soil on a conveyor belt, which carries the soil under radiation detectors that measure and record the level of radiation in the material. Radioactive particles are tracked and mechanically diverted through automated gates, which separate the soil into contaminated and clean segments.

Magnetic Separation. In magnetic separation, a magnetized medium such as magnetized steel wool is used to separate slightly magnetic radioactiveparticles from soil. All uranium and plutonium compounds are slightly magnetic while most soil is nonmagnetic. Soil is mixed with water to form a slurry, and the slurry is passed through the magnetic medium.

Chemical Leaching. Chemical leaching processes use weak acids such as vinegar to dissolve and wash the metals from the soil. The metals recovered by the process can possibly be recycled.

more info:

Ex Situ Biological Treatment

4.11 Biopiles

4.12 Composting

4.13 Landfarming

4.14 Slurry Phase Biological Treatment

Ex Situ Physical/Chemical Treatment (Assuming Excavation)

4.15 Chemical Extraction

4.16 Chemical Reduction/Oxidation

4.17 Dehalogenation

4.18 Separation

4.19 Soil Washing

4.20 Solidification/Stabilization

Ex Situ Thermal Treatment (assuming excavation)

4.21 Hot Gas Decontamination

4.22 Incineration

4.23 Open Burn/Open Detonation

4.24 Pyrolysis

4.25 Thermal Desorption

4.26 Landfill Cap

4.27 Landfill Cap Enhancements/Alternatives

Other Treatment

4.28 Excavation, Retrieval, and Off-Site

for full index:

https://frtr.gov/matrix2/section1/toc.html#Sec4

got more tools from Hornback yesterday.

[projectanon2017]

Back to ADM(from China),3rd Aug.

It is a rainy day today, a good day for online research and filming

A Citizen’s Guide to Soil Washing

full version: https://clu-in.org/download/remed/soilwash.pdf

some notes:

Method :

step1.  Digging up the contaminated soil and move it to a staging area

step2. The soil is then sifted to remove debris and large objects, such as rocks.

step3. The remaining material enters a soil scrubbing unit, in which the soil is mixed with a washing solution and agitated. The washing solution may be simply water or may contain additives, like detergent, which remove the contaminants from the soil.

This process is very similar to washing laundry.

step 4. The wash water is drained out of the soil scrubbing unit and the soil is rinsed with clean water.

step 5. The heavier sand and gravel particles in the processed soil settle out and are tested for contaminants.If clean, this material can be used on the site or taken elsewhere for backfill. If traces of contaminants are still present, the material may be run through the soil washer again or collected for alternate treatment or off-site disposal.

[projectanon2017]

Another (one and half)hole, 23rd July

Today’s sopt: 52°25'10.12"N 4°47'53.24"E

Just drilled more hole in the Papillon area to check the soil condition.

found the color division at the same depth(-70cm)

 Paid more attention to the layers deeper than -70cm

from -70cm to -80cm there were fewer shells.

Found several big blocks of clay under -80cm 

It maybe the sign for the old land, and the depth is similar to what I found last time -- around -90 cm

another spot: 52°25'10.42"N 4°47'52.55"E

I chose a spot that close to the main road. I got quite some troubles while drilling the ground, there was more rubble than previous spots. And I had to stop due a big brick/rubble.

I met two ladies while I was drilling. They told me that the field in front of Papillon will be used for the ADM festival next Month, they are planning to build stages here, which is great. But also a bad news for my project, I may need to find another field to continue, since the building will start at the beginning of Aug.

[projectanon2017]

Pizza Night! 22nd July

Had a lovely night at Pizza tower!

Thanks Elena and David for the amazing pizza!

[projectanon2017]

More details, 21st July

today's site: 52°25'10.46"N 4°47'53.10"E (got the coordinate from GPS)

0cm to -20cm：

from 0 to -10cm is the layer of rich soil and big rubble

then in the layer of -10cm to -20cm, there is sand with shells 

-20cm to -35cm:

sand with shells, some rubble

-35cm to -50cm:

the soil of this layer is mainly sand with shells

-50cm to - 65cm：

sand with shells(still...) also found one rubble(rare)

-70cm:

there is a clear color division when reached -70cm, the sand turns gray which may due to the old iron pipe. the pipe was used to transfer sand during the time of land reclamation.

sand with shells

-70cm to -90cm:

gray sand with shells

-90cm to -110cm:

Darker sand WITHOUT shells, some rich soil, some clay

Here is a closer look.

the boundary of the old and new land may take place around -90cm, since there are shells above -90cm and below -90cm there is no shells but some rich soil and clay, which maybe is the clue of the old land(the old land was used as farm land)

the division of rich soil and sand(0 to -20cm)

rubble and color in the sand(from bricks maybe)

I put some soil from 0 to -20cm into salty water. I will leave it to settle for a day, and check if there is anything flowing on the surface.