There is no adding or subtracting of elements...only Reformation.  I have been impressed with the idea that virtually everything we see in the world around us, has actually come up out of the earth.  This happens through natural processes as in the case of an animal or plant, or through mining.  We mine elements and from them create an amazing variety of useful things.  Over time these productions break back down into elements and return to the earth.  We can find piles of these no longer useful materials accumulating in corners.  They tell a story of where they have been and show signs of where they are going.  I have turned to mining these piles.  My process includes mining, breaking down and building up.  Reforming, reordering...reformation.