Observation Records of Material Behaviors Upon Entering Open Spaces

When materials are placed into an open space after being removed from a sealed container or isolated state, whether they spontaneously undergo observable changes without human operation or intervention forms a core dimension of material archiving.

In long-term observation, these spontaneous behaviors can be recorded across three independent dimensions: Visual Observations (changes in form, surface condition, volume, or color), Olfactory Observations (the presence of scent and its changes over time), and Auditory Observations (whether the material produces sound on its own without being touched).

1. Alcohol Ink and Volatile Liquid Systems

• Visual Observations: Upon exposure to an open space, evaporation begins immediately without requiring human intervention (such as using a blower or tilting the substrate). For colorless volatile liquids, the total volume of liquid continuously decreases until no visible liquid remains. For colored alcohol inks, as the volatile components diminish, the color deposits on the substrate and leaves marks. Once the liquid evaporates completely, this liquid behavior ends.
• Olfactory Observations: Materials in this group carry a perceptible scent. After entering an open space, the scent can be noticed without needing to move particularly close to the material.
• Auditory Observations: In a normal open environment, no spontaneous sounds have been observed during the evaporation of the liquid or the formation of marks.

2. Dry Pigment Powder

• Visual Observations: Lacking moisture, pigment powders do not undergo evaporation or shrinkage in open spaces. Under normal conditions, they maintain their original particle form and accumulated state. Under specific environmental conditions: when exposed to high humidity over extended periods, some powders may absorb moisture and form lumps or clusters; under prolonged exposure to strong ultraviolet light, some powders with lower lightfastness may undergo slight color changes.
• Olfactory Observations: Scent characteristics vary by pigment type. Some powders carry a subtle scent, while others have no noticeable scent. Without moving closer to the material, scents are generally not perceived in the surrounding air.
• Auditory Observations: Dry pigment powders remaining in a static state produce no spontaneous sounds.

3. Liquid Watercolor Paint (Pigment and Binder Combinations)

• Visual Observations:
  • Drying and Solidification: Natural evaporation of moisture causes the liquid volume to decrease gradually as the material transitions toward a solid state.
  • Structural Changes: Some systems spontaneously generate bubbles in open spaces, occasionally forming a network of bubbles. In certain cases, gases move upward, pushing liquid out of the container opening. During filling or solidifying stages, internal or surface void spaces, local depressions, cracks, or residual bubbles may become visible.
  • Phase Separation and Settling: Some systems exhibit separation between the pigment and the binder, creating distinct layers. Material settling to the bottom gradually forms a hardened mass or block.
  • Biological Phenomena: Mold growth has been recorded in certain systems during long-term exposure or storage.
• Olfactory Observations: These systems carry a noticeable scent upon entering an open space. As moisture evaporates, the scent gradually weakens. If a system undergoes spoilage or mold growth, its scent changes accordingly.
• Auditory Observations: In an open, static state, no spontaneous sounds occur. However, if liquid paint is stored in a sealed container, gas accumulation from internal fermentation can cause gas to release with an audible "pop" or release sound when the container lid is manually opened. This sound originates from the release of accumulated gas rather than continuous sound generation in an open space.

4. Solid Watercolor

• Visual Observations: In a normal open environment, solid watercolors remain in a stable solid block form, showing no spontaneous evaporation, separation, or flow. When environmental humidity remains consistently high, the surface of humidity-sensitive solid watercolors may soften, become tacky, or cause blocks to stick together. Under high-temperature conditions, cracks may appear on the surface of some solid watercolors.
• Olfactory Observations: In a solidified state at room temperature, no noticeable scent is emitted.
• Auditory Observations: Without human touch or intervention, solid watercolors remain silent.

5. Acrylic Paint

• Visual Observations:
  • Drying and Shrinkage: Moisture evaporates naturally, causing the paint to shrink and solidify into a continuous solid coating. The final surface sheen depends on the formulation: some dry with a clear gloss, while others present a matte finish.
  • Flow Characteristics: Pure acrylic paint without added mediums has low fluidity and does not spread rapidly across a surface on its own. When specific mediums are added to create a high-fluidity state, the material exhibits spreading and flowing behavior on the substrate. Regardless of whether flow occurs, the material eventually dries.
• Olfactory Observations: When freshly squeezed or exposed, acrylic paint emits scents of varying intensity depending on the formula. As moisture evaporates and the paint dries, the scent gradually dissipates.
• Auditory Observations: Without external forces, no sounds are observed during the drying and film-forming process.

6. Oil Pastels

• Visual Observations: At room temperature and without external forces, oil pastels maintain their original form without undergoing drying, evaporation, or gravity-induced flow. At elevated environmental temperatures, oil separation (sweating) may occur on the surface.
• Olfactory Observations: When freshly opened or exposed to an open space, most oil pastels carry a noticeable scent of oil or raw materials. With continuous exposure in an open space with air circulation, the scent gradually lightens and fades over time.
• Auditory Observations: In a static state without human operations such as scraping, rubbing, or cutting, no sounds are observed.

7. Comparison of Spontaneous Behaviors in Open Spaces