Fire Show from Matches
COMPOSITION
The journey to create the Fire Show from matches began with a simple curiosity: why does a match have to look the way it does? Traditionally, matches are small, single-use tools meant only to ignite other objects. This limitation intrigued me and led me to explore the match’s potential in a broader way.
Questions and insights guided me to question the match’s current use and transform it from an ignition tool into an “ignited object.”
Could the match be more than it is now? Could it be eternal instead of single-use? What if the match itself became the star of the fire show, rather than just lighting another?
I broke the match down into its core components: wooden stick, paint, and gunpowder to understand and reimagine it.
I wanted to see if I could create a match that sustains fire in a compelling, intriguing way. Different designs could open new visual and experiential possibilities for fire.
Fire is mesmerizing. Our natural urge to watch dancing, flickering flames is a fundamental, primal quality. Whether it’s a nighttime campfire or the dynamic movement of flames, fire captivates our attention and evokes a sense of wonder.
This fascination was a key element I wanted to harness in my project.
GUNPOWDER FOR THE FIRE SHOW
The fire show is built around a wooden construction made of shapes coated in gunpowder, aiming to create a safe yet thrilling fire experience. The powder is made by dismantling and crushing match heads. When mixed with hot water, it becomes a paste that can be spread onto various wooden structures.
Creating this paste involves removing the heads from many matches (about 25 large boxes for one model), crushing them, and carefully spreading the mixture onto the wood. After drying for about 24 hours, the structures are ready for ignition.
THE RATE AND INTENSITY OF FIRE SPREAD
The rate at which the fire spreads and its intensity are determined by the shape,
whether solid or hollow: and by the distances between shapes. A ring, for example, has no inherent directionality, but during the fire, the flames dictate the direction and path of the fire's movement.
COLLAPSE OF THE STRUCTURE
The fire show begins with ignition and ends with the collapse of the structure.
The asymmetric composition of the object causes it to fall, creating anticipation and excitement as viewers watch the fire and wait for the moment of collapse. The asymmetry is a critical factor influencing the fall. This imbalance in design introduces unpredictability, enhancing the thrill of the spectacle.
