| Statement:
This artwork, titled Inhibition, presents
a flawless, 100-base DNA string in the form of a metal chain. This
metal chain is wrapped around a severely mutated version of the
same DNA string, which has been put together in the form of a tall
bridge. This structure of mutated DNA consists of duct tape, stones,
and blocks of Styrofoam and foam, which are materials that are known
for their distinct tactile properties.
The internal bridge structure represents
a DNA string mutated through numerous cases of inversion and translocation.
Its number of bases is the same from the original string. This structure
is made of materials that possess soft, rough, smooth, and sticky
textures, which represent the four different bases. This structure
symbolizes the true nature of DNA, in that it certainly isn’t
immutable, and that it does not directly engender everything that
makes us human. Certain human properties, including the sense of
touch, are the expression of genes in particular contexts. This
means that the true strength behind such human phenomena lies within
the expression of genes in certain conditions, rather than simply
the genes themselves.
The metal chain, which represents the flawless
DNA string, shows the popular misplacement of concern on only the
genes themselves. Many people in society resign themselves to a
sort of genetic determinism, in that their genes will map out their
entire development, physical properties, and fate. This is untrue
in that people can decide to place themselves in different situations
that will require the expression of different genes. The metal chain
is wrapped around the bridge structure to show the popular misconception
towards genes overshadowing its true nature.
Although this project turned out to be much
difficult than originally anticipated, it was oddly pleasurable
to work on it. It feels good to have constructed something that
expresses complex ideas out of rather unrelated items, and I hope
that it can communicate its message with the viewers as well. |
