Flux –
1 A continuous moving on or passing by
2 A continued flow
3 a Influx
b Change, fluctuation
4 A substance used to promote fusion (metals)
In a recent post I used the word flux to describe the current state of our lives. However, when typing this word, I thought of metals. Fusing two metals together. Soldering. I thought of college.
One of my favorite courses in college was during the semester between architecture school and journalism school. I was, in a state of flux. During this semester, I also formed a deep attachment to flux, the substance used to fuse two metals. I enrolled in a metals class that marked a great transition in my school career. We made all sorts of items – boxes, bookmarks, boards, jewelry. The instructor was young and passionate about his work. The class was small, no more than ten of us, and a dynamic group. There were two architecture students, about to graduate; a surfer; a girl who worked at Medieval Times with a great sense of humor; a young woman in a wheelchair; a young man with a penchant for parties and other young men, who made a very entertaining lunch buddy; and me. This class marked the first time that I allowed a professor to truly help me, so that I could learn. It also was a time in which I was forced to hear criticisms, in critiques, and figured out what I was good at, through perseverance. It was perhaps the most fun I had in college.
I sometimes miss using small pieces of flux and a torch to meld two things together. Or accidentally burning my arm or dropping the tweezers in the wrong moment. Or being so frustrated that everything had to be perfect to work out right. Despite many failures, I ended up with some pieces I will always treasure. In fact, Cosby, our cat, frequently knocks one of them off of our living room side table.
Readers, do any of you have experience working with metals? Creating a piece of art that you struggled with? Or was there a class, or a person, that taught you something valuable in college? I would love to hear your stories.
Oh man, I loved this post! I was wondering when I saw the title on the admin page what it might be about. I love that little box you made, it is so cool, and I love the metaphor you have in this. So good. So good!
Thanks, mister! I am glad you liked the post so much!
I love this post as well. I don’t have experience in working with metals, but I worked a lot with ceramics and took some stained glass classes in high school and am reminded of slip and solder respectively. How interesting to take a part of speech (“in flux”) and think about it entirely differently – tying two things together. Or is it not that different? Maybe we’re just fusing the present and future together… :)
Exactly, Emily! A constant flow, change, and fusing things together all move us in new directions.
I have not worked with ceramics or glass but I have always found the technique of glass blowing very interesting. I do remember that we had one of those ceramic (coolers?) in our metals lab in the back corner. We also had this great machine that would beat the living daylights out of the container you put a metal ring in – it was fascinating.