Aluchromy Exhibition

In the course of artwork creation on metal substrates, surfaces can be modified by different surface treatments (e.g. mechanical, chemical or electrochemical). In particular, anodization allows, depending on the operational conditions, to obtain a compact or porous anodic film. Compact films are successfully carried out on Al, Ti or Nb substrates, the colour resulting from interferential phenomena. Porous anodic films on the other hand, are usually obtained on aluminium alloys, the inside porosity allowing to integrate metallic, mineral or organic pigments or dyes.

Historical Aluchromists

At the beginning of the sixties, in Belgium, a new art movement called « The Belgian Aluchromists Group » emerged. They used classical polychromatic organic coloring of porous anodic films on aluminium substrates for artwork creations. A less known fact perhaps, is that Aluchromy also developed in France, especially by Claude Morini (1939-1982). Some of his artworks will be showed during the Anodize it ! conference.

Modern Aluchromists

To the best of our knowledge, there is no more formal group of Aluchromists today. But the art of Aluchromy is still alive and numerous professional or amateur artists still practice it, often in association with others techniques (collage, painting…) and other materials, to produce both figuratives and abstract artworks.

This modern aluchromy production can be, in first approximation, divided in two different categories depending on the final application:
- on one hand, the creation of tableaux or colored panels both for indoor and outdoor decoration.
- on the other hand, the coloring of different kind of objects, such as guitar bodies or jewelry supports. In this context, Virginie Planas’ costume jewels, on aluminium both anodized and colored, will be presented, for the Anodize it ! conference.

Claude Morini, "Pour Gérald / For Gerald", Aluchromy glued on wood (94 x 84cm), unknown year