Etty Schwartz was born in Jerusalem in 1970 and studied in the photography department at Hadassah Academic College. She has been working on an ongoing project since 1998 - 2022 that presents a series of images inspired by Mendeleev's periodic table of elements, illustrating how the number of electrons in an element's atomic structure influences its properties and bonding capabilities in nature.
The periodic table serves as both a catalog of elements and a key to understanding material properties. Schwartz's photographic chemistry studies ignited her fascination with the relationship between chemistry and photography, leading her to integrate development processes into her artistic practice. As an educator, she shares her passion for chemistry and photography with her students.
Her work focuses on discarded objects—corks, soap remnants, and household waste—often featuring round forms. The photographs explore the materiality of these items, captured against white or black backgrounds in soft natural light. Some images highlight textures sharply, while others intentionally create a sense of ambiguity.
By sorting these photographs according to themes, Schwartz adopts the model of the periodic table, allowing for an associative comparison of organic essence and fundamental qualities. Each axis represents contrasting concepts—alive/dead, black/white, clean/dirty, etc.—enabling a unique perspective on each "element."
This arrangement reflects the passage of time and the aesthetic values of the objects. Schwartz's exploration also leads to philosophical insights about the parallels between chemical bonding and emotional connections, transforming her catalog into a visual language that captures the effects of time and space.
In line with the second law of thermodynamics, which states that entropy tends to maximize in a closed system, Schwartz’s work illustrates how contrasts and absences contribute to a balanced whole, harmonious yet diverse in its components.
