Wednesday, January 20, 2010

The Deadiliest Art in the World




HOW TO MAKE THE DEADLIEST ART IN THE WORLD
-The Collaborators: University of Bristol virologist Andrew Davidson, glassblowers, Kim George, Brian Jones and Norman Veitch
- Took inspiration from high-resolution electron microscopic images, creating large, painstakingly accurate glass sculptures of viruses and bacteria such as HIV, E. coli, SARS, and H1N1 (Swine flu)
- Took over 5 years of development and research
- Jerram and his collaborators created glass genomes, carefully placing them on tiny pedestals within what would become viral envelopes
- They then closed up the tops before adding final touches of spikes and glycoproteins, which were shaped and melted on while keeping the whole work at roughly the same temperature


SOURCES
- http://www.lukejerram.com/projects/glass_microbiology
- http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/at_the_edge_of_perception/
- http://www.wired.com/magazine/2009/11/pl_playlist_1712
- http://www.the-scientist.com/blog/display/56036/
- http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/luke-jerrams-viral-sculptures-exhibition-debuts-at-the-smithfield-gallery-1794587.html
- http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/2009/Features/WTX056608.htm