Protovision is inspired by the work of Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek (1632 - 1723), a pioneer (not inventor as often mistaken) of microscopy. Experiments on pepper to discover if its heat was caused by tiny spikes caused him to put peppercorns in water and let them soften for three weeks. He later observed the water and was surprised to see tiny organisms: the first bacteria observed by man. His description read, “[They] were incredibly small, nay so small, in my sight, that I judged that even if 100 of these very wee animals lay stretched out one against another, they could not reach to the length of a grain of coarse Sand.” Van Leeuwenhoek's letter announcing this discovery caused such doubt at the Royal Society that he had to enlist an English vicar, as well as jurists and doctors, to confirm that his report was in fact based on true observations. Robert Hooke later repeated the experiment and was able to confirm Van Leeuwenhoek discoveries. Hooke later discovered blood cells and sperm cells.

What is also fascinating about Van Leeuwenhoek is the fact that he wasn’t trained as a scientist; he was a fabric merchant who later learned lens grinding. It was his superior skill at this that led him to construct microscopes far more powerful than anything else in existence at that time. As an artist I am constantly inspired by science and the interactions it has with technology and art. Particularly pioneers in science and technology who saw things for the first time; it is that captivation in discovery that I am trying to channel. I am also using assembled and modified technology to present Protovsion; this embodies Van Leeuwenhoek’s intimacy and reverence with his technology.

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