Process: Visualising DNA Research
A unique new art & science project by Gillian McFarland & Ruth Singer
Artists in Residence, University of Leicester Genetics Department 2017
Exhibition runs: 26th Jan - 23rd Feb 2018, Open: 12pm - 6pm (Sun 1pm - 4pm)
Private View: Saturday 27th Jan (6pm - 8pm)
Gillian and Ruth have been the artists in residence in the Department of Genetics at the University of Leicester throughout 2017 and fresh from the International Art Science exhibition in Berlin, will now show their intriguing art works at 44AD.
This art - science project is a unique collaboration between the artists and Professor Turi King, the geneticist responsible for the identification of the remains of Richard III. The artists have enjoyed privileged access to labs and research facilities and the opportunity to talk and share with scientists and researchers in a way not normally possible for artists.
Conical Flasks (Degraded)
Altered scientific glass, in collaboration with Gayle Price
"We have been fascinated by containers found in labs and have explored the idea of the scientific vessel as a metaphor for humans as containers of genetic information. We have created changes or mutations to each of the vessels, which transforms their outward appearance and purpose. The soot was a by-product of the alteration process. We found this intriguing and chose to keep it as a reference to degradation or damage to DNA in archaeological specimens over time. This group comprises 23 pairs of vessels, which echoes the 23 pairs of chromosomes normally found in each human cell."
Contained
"Our original inspiration to work with petri dishes came from visiting the yeast labs at the University, where we saw stacks of dishes filled with huge yeast populations. The layers of dishes, each containing vast amounts of genetic data were our starting point. We created collections of petri dishes each containing interpretations of the idea of personal DNA. Staff, students, other artists, school groups and members of the public have contributed their own petri dishes. This has opened-up the project to a wide audience of non-scientists. The petri dishes are tiny worlds. They draw in the viewer and encourage scrutiny and further investigation of what is contained within."
Gillian and Ruth invite you to join them to attend their Open Studio with activities at 44AD on Sun 28th Jan and an Associates Artsocial discussion on Sun 4th Feb 2018 at 3pm.