Morphology of a Virus Attack
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Morphology of a Virus Attack
Feb 19, 10 | by karmatetra (Profile | Gallery | Blog)
I apologize, but I keep getting an error every time I try to upload a photo. For now, until the error is fixed, please view my Picassa Photo Album at http://picasaweb.google.com/karmatetra/MorphologyOfAVirusAttack?feat=dir...
A cast glass sculpture of a virus attacking a cell. Twenty triangular kiln-cast glass panels form the icosahedral structure of the virus protein capsid. The icosahedron’s beautiful symmetry hides the dangerous nature of the viral morphology.
The sculpture is made entirely of kiln-cast recycled glass. Other materials include copper wire,
brass rod, silicone adhesive and wooden base.
The sculpture captures the moment at which the virus has breached the cell. A portion of the
violated cell membrane, portrayed in cast and slumped glass, shows the destructive effects of
the viral invasion. Two strands of viral DNA represented by spiraling copper wire enter the cell
membrane. The viewer can now visualize how the cell's metabolism will be taken over by the
viral genetic material.
This one was a real challenge. Lots of experimenting with new materials and techniques. Also, the time constraint was crazy. I got an invitation to submit an art piece on Facebook. I infrequently check my Facebook messages. Seems like Facebook has more uses than just silly social networking.
This gave me only 3 weeks from initial concept to the deadline for the exhibition. Very ambitious and at times I didn't think that I would make the deadline. I ground the glass from a dozen beer bottles. It took me 3 tries to figure out how to grind the glass to the size and texture I wanted. It took me 5 castings to get the glass right for the virus. It took 3 castings for the cell membrane. The base took me 2 tries to get the disks uniformally round.
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My sculptures are very architectural so moulding filigree like Bard's is out of the question, and metal is too laborious. Natural wood like the Bard's bases are cerSo for anyone out there that wants a clean, low key base, I have found that simple opaque black acrylic is the most overall cost effective method seconded by black laquered MDF or 1/4" mirror with a felt bottom. Assuming that most here don't have a table saw, this is important to know when pricing a shop to do it, because acrylic is so fast to get a fine finished base - if you know the right steps.
Simply cut the acrylic on a table saw to the size and shape you want, tilt blade to cut the bevel desired, then use a pass4sure 1K0-002 razor to scrape the saw marks off and you are ready to buff. Literally ten minutes or less of work. A woodworkers pass4sure 646-203 vjointer makes smoothing easier, but you would be surprised at how quickly one can smooth an edge with a stiff razor (pass4sure 117-301 from a razor knife, not the thin blade razors) running the razor at opposing angles across the edge. A buffer with white rouge or equivalant (auto body rubbing compound works too) creates the final gloss.
MDF is a good choice for me for larger pcs, and the trick from pro woodworkers is to fill the porous edge of the MDF with polyester glaze found at auto body shops, sand then spray with black laquer.tainly cost effective, but sometimes the traditional look of woodgrain is stylistically incompatible with high-end art.
pass4sure 1D0-541