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A new form of eternally mounting photographs
An art gallery in Cape Town, recently exhibited photographs bonded by Orms onto acrylic glass, using the technique of Diasec (a patented formula of which only 9 vendors worldwide are licensed to use) to enhance the colour and presentation of the vibrant photographs.The process of creating a Diasec print starts with cold-mounting a photographic print onto DiBond, an archival substrate consisting of a sheet of composite foam compressed between two sheets of aluminium. This gives the substrate incredible rigidity while keeping it light weight. A sheet of archival acrylic glass (perspex) is then mounted onto the print using a specialised silicone adhesive, essentially sandwiching the print between the DiBond and acrylic glass.
The Diasec gel is neutral curing and has an inbuilt ultra-violet filter. It contains no plasticizers and is resistant to fungicidal, bacterial agents, and air-bourne pollutants. After curing the whole airtight panel remains chemically inert and stable. The finished product remains flexible, enabling it to withstand changes in temperature and humidity, which affect works on paper. However, the process is irreversible and if the acrylic glass is damaged there is no way to salvage the print.
The combination of acrylic glass and specialised silicone renders an impressive UV resistance of 98%, giving a Diasec mount a guaranteed life span of 30 years. The archival properties of the Diasec procedure have made it the benchmark when displaying photographs in galleries and museums across Europe. Diasec samples that were made in the 1970s show negligible colour shift, the whites are still pure and there is no evidence of acid erosion visible
For more information on this technique, visit Framed by Orms or Wikipedia
Liquid glass - the spray-on scientific revelation
Liquid glass, a revolutionary invisible non-toxic spray that protects against everything from bacteria to
UV radiation, could soon be used on a vast range of products.
The spray, which is harmless to the environment, can be used to protect against disease, guard vineyards against fungal threats and coat the nose cones of high-speed trains, it has been claimed.
The versatile spray, which forms an easy-clean coating one millionth of a millimetre thick (500 times thinner than a human hair) can be applied to virtually any surface to protect it against water, dirt, bacteria, heat and UV radiation.
It is hoped that liquid glass, a compound of almost pure silicon dioxide, could soon replace a variety of cleaning products which are harmful to the environment, leaving our world coated in an invisible, wipe-clean sheen.
The spray forms a water-resistant layer, meaning it can be cleaned using only water. Trials by food-processing companies showed that sterile surfaces covered with a film of liquid glass were equally clean after a rinse with hot water as after their usual treatment with strong bleach.
The patent for the technology is owned by a German company, Nanopool, which is in discussions with UK companies and the NHS about the use of liquid glass for a wide range of purposes.
Nanopool is understandably tight-lipped about the exact workings of the material - they will say that molecules of SiO2 (the main component of glass) are extracted from quartz sand and added to a base of water or ethanol. When sprayed onto surfaces, the material bonds through quantum forces, not with the addition of resins or other additives, making it safe even for agricultural use to inhibit mildew growth.
Several organisations are said to be testing the product, including a train company in Britain, which is using liquid glass on both the interior and exterior of the train, a luxury hotel chain, a designer clothing company and a German branch of a hamburger chain.
Key to the product's versatility is the fact it can be sold in a solution of either alcohol or water, depending on what surface needs to be coated. The layer formed by the liquid glass is said to be flexible and breathable.
Source: The Telegraph and Spray on glass
Composite decking
A wooden deck incorporated into your outdoor living area is an investment that should enhance your property
and lifestyle, but should be functional and well constructed as well.
The wide range of timbers available allows the creativity to create exactly the colour, feel and atmosphere required for any outdoor living area. Decking materials range from exotic woods to sustainable woods, form polymer to timber fibre & polymer composites. Many composite materials have also become readily available in South Africa over the last few years and since these are greener choices, have started to become very popular.
When selecting a composite material make sure it has been tested under South African weather and UV conditions. Enviro Deck, is a composite decking material that has been tested at the Polymer Institute in Stellenbosch for South African conditions.
Envirodeck decking captures the natural beauty of wood and will endure the harsh local climate without the excessive care requirements normally associated with wood. It is ideal for game lodge decks, swimming pool decks, sun decks, walkways, jetties, cladding and so much more.
The material is moisture resistant so it can withstand exposure to sunlight and rain, making it the perfect product for all applications.
Unlike traditional harvested timber, Envirodeck composite decking products are sustainable and not one tree has been felled for the production of this product. Composite products therefore support sustainable architecture and green building methods with the following content structure:
- 95% recycled content
- 38% post consumer recycled content
- 57% pre-consumer recycled content
Shipwreck breaking up
If a walk on the wild side leading to a mystery location is something that tickles your adventurous side,
then this route along the coastline is a definite must for hikers and nature lovers.
It starts at the southern end of Llandudno, traverses along an extremely well-trodden path crossing Sandy Bay beach, dives into the indigenous bushes and continues parallel to the coast, until reaching the rocky peninsular of Oudeschip. If the walk through nudist Sandy Bay is not something you would like to see, then the hike could commence at the southern most point of Sandy Bay, reachable from the parking lot in Valley View drive and a short walk over the Mount Rhodes dunes.
The idea is to use the paths to get about 150m above the shoreline, and since the distance from Sandy Bay beach to the rocky peninsular of Oudeschip is considerably greater than it looks, keep to this path. The path through the bush remans pretty well parallel to the coast all the way, so don't be tempted back down onto the rocks until the very end.
About 25 minutes from the beach the bush path takes you through a narrow gap between two rocks, opening up the view of Shorty's cave in front of you. It is a fairly substantial granite shelter that used to be the home of Shorty and his 3 sons, a modern-day Strandloper family.
Shortly thereafter, you will come across the rocky peninsular of Oudeschip, with the rusty remains of the Harvest Capella that was shipwrecked in 1986 immediately visible on the right hand side of the Oudeschip peninsular. Also visible is the grave of the Maori (shipwrecked in 1909) on the other side of the deep bay of Leeugat. The huge floating crane behind the Maori is the wreck of the Bos 400 that was shipwrecked in 1994.
If you have planned in advance, and have food, water and a warm jacket packed, then the hike to the Bos 400 is possible. The distance to the wreck of the Bos 400 is deceptive and will take another 2 hours to get there, so only continue if fully prepared. And don't be caught out by thinking Hout Bay is just around the corner, the route to Hout Bay takes another 6 hours along a walk that is exposed and very strenuous.
The Harvest Capella was a long-liner owned by Sea Harvest Corporation in Saldanha Bay, using long lines with hooks instead of nets to catch hake.
The Bos 400 came into grief in June 1994 in driving rain and gale-force winds and the 18 crew members were all lifted to safety by helicopter.
The same was not true for the British steam ship, the Maori, when just after midnight on 5 August 1909, the ship struck rocks. Only 22 of the 53 crew members lived to tell the tale of what was described as the most dramatic rescue by rocket apparatus ever carried out on the SA coast. The rocket apparatus fires a line carrying rocket over a stricken vessel, enabling the crew members to be rescued.
Photos: i-shoot photography
Stonehurst project complete
A project based in the Stonehurst Mountain Estate above Westlake golf course in Cape Town has been completed and loaded into our case studies on our website.
This project proved to be an interesting one, based on the slope, the leveling limitations and plant selection of the estate.
Aloe Ferox
(Bitter Aloe)
Family :
Aloaceae
Description :
Indigenous striking plant to 3m with bright red flower spikes.
Flowering time :
Winter to Summer
Conditions :
- Full Sun
- Little water
- Evergreen
- Wind resistant
- Some frost
- Well drained soil
View more detailed information on this plant in our plant directory.
Nabygelegen Seventeen Twelve 2006
Winemaker : James Mckenzie
Description :
Red blend - Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot - from grapes grown in Wellington.Aroma : This elegant wine has berry richness with blackcurrants and ripe plums overlaid with soft, smoky, aromatic tannins.
Palate : Merlot for suppleness, Cabernet for structure and Petit Verdot for the backbone.
Winemaking : After a cool temperature harvest and extensive bunch and berry selection, regular punch downs and aerated pumpovers with 12 months maturation in a selection of different French Barrels before unfiltered bottling.
If you want to purchase or require more information on this wine, or if you are interested in a private or corporate tasting, please email Karen or visit her website.
Tomatoes
Seeds can be sown or plants can be planted for the following herbs and veggies this month:
Vegetables
|
Herbs |
View our full planting plan in our resources section of our website.
We all love a chance to test our own brain capacity with brain teasers. Try see if you can figure out this one...
June's Teaser Answer :
"Great expectations"
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Contact Cheral:
Cell: 082 82 509 82
Email: info@livingmatter.co.za
Website: www.livingmatter.co.za