Sculpture Studio

Rachael Lashof

Project 4- Intention Statement

Central Dogma

Throughout this semester, I have explored my interest in the intersection between art and science. Most of the work I have done this semester has been a more literal approach to this exploration. I feel that the dimensions of these works has been limited. My goal for the final project of the semester is to get past literal approaches and also gain more depth in my work.

I began this project, which I entitled Central Dogma, by choosing a source of inspiration: DNA. DNA is the starting block of the process of transcription (DNA-RNA). As a child, one of my favorite magazines to flip through was National Geographic. I have always remember how beautiful and elegant a photograph of DNA looked. This became my source of inspiration for this reason as well as several others: (1) for the mathematical elegance of the biological code, (2) it is essential to all life, and (3) DNA is part of a process (central dogma) that is essential to life, and art making is also a process that is central to my life, and (4) DNA is part of a chain reaction of events similar to the thought process of an artist making a piece of artwork. With DNA as my source of inspiration, I intended to connect art in science for the viewer.

There have been several artists who have inspired by my process throughout this piece. Primarily, these include artists Eduardo Kac and Jacques Deshaies. My exploration of these artists can be seen on the “Source to Self” page listed under project four. In addition to Kac and Deshaies, I have also been inspired by a few other artists, both in my thinking about central dogma, but also in terms of science in general as well as how to work with light. These artists include visiting artists to St. Mary’s College, Kira Lynn Harris and Claire Watkins, as well as senior art major Katie Coursey. I have included both Harris and Watkins in my previous research, found under “Artist Research” in projects three and two, respectively. In addition, I found Katie Coursey’s work inspiring because she also uses a scientific/mathematical process to achieve her work (stop motion animation videos). For me, this scientific process of building DNA-like structures using LEDs, copper, and wood echoes the science that originally inspired the piece.

To fulfill my intentions and what I felt were some of the most important elements of the nature of DNA, I drew attention to its elegance, yet an elegance that is very organized. I used LEDs because I think that the electronic element brings to mind science, but also an aspect of the unknown. I also left the wrapped ends of the LEDs visible to the viewer because I felt it emphasized my process more. The small watch batteries used to power the LEDs were also left exposed, as if they were promoters turning on the gene. I used copper sheet metal and copper wire which I torched to give a more organic look. I twisted and intertwined the thin strips of copper in a fashion reminiscent of the spiral structure of DNA. Finally, I added a sheer maroon colored curtain around the piece which was hung on the wall. I wanted the viewer to be reminded of two things specifically: a body reference (DNA is found inside the body) and a religious reference (the conflict between science and religion that is ever-present).

Overall, I am very excited at the success of this piece. It is definitely the most charged piece of artwork I have put forth this semester, and I feel that I achieved my goals in making a less literal piece that had more depth. However, I would like to add another element to the piece to tie in the religious aspect more. I feel that most viewers did not see that reference in the sheer curtain, and I think adding another element could further strengthen the piece. In conclusion, I really like the direction that I have begun to head with this piece, and I would really like to explore this idea more over the summer as I prepare for my senior St. Mary’s Project in art.