Mercury (2022)
Mercury (2022) is a video projection that explores the intersection of history, mythology, and environmental awareness. Projected from Melissa’s studio overlooking Chelsea College of Art’s GreenHaus garden, the piece draws inspiration from the area’s past as a former army hospital. It was believed that the land had been used as a dumping site for thermometers, raising concerns about mercury contamination in the soil. This historical context shapes the artwork’s exploration of toxicity, both literal and symbolic.
In this work, the figure of Mercury—both the Greek messenger god, the planet and the element itself—takes center stage. Vivid, hypnotising colors pulse and loop across the garden entrance, evoking a sense of both allure and danger. This imagery is paired with the soulful, looping rhythm of “Can’t You See” by Rick Wade.
Presented as part of the Lumination exhibition, Mercury invites viewers to reflect on the hidden histories that shape our environments, while engaging with the dynamic interplay between the visual allure of color and sound.