Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Ailments




We've been discussing science in art this week, and if you missed it see here and here. I mentioned my interest in combining science and art, and looks like I'm not alone - many of you expressed the same interest! I also promised to post some of my own artwork which incorporated science. This piece is called Ailments and it was one of my first major design projects. Not necessarily my best, but it helps show the beginning of my fascination with science and art.

The project started after a good friend had surgery due to a blood condition in his brain. Before my friend's surgery he showed me the x-rays of his brain. Probably sounds odd, but he knew I would be interested. I mean, come on...x-rays of a brain...who could pass that up?! Even though the surgery was scheduled the medical issue was quite sudden and unexpected, which worried me and my friends. I took my uncertainty and worry, along with his x-rays, and made art. Ailments is constructed of copied x-rays starting from the brain (my friend's x-rays) to the feet. I sewed red thread dipped in wax onto each transparent x-ray to symbolize life and pain.

The piece was presented in an art show where I was able to see how the public interacted with the work. I watched how people would gently run their fingers through the hanging string...like it was comforting. I realized the piece helped me deal with the emotions of my friend's condition, and touched others who experienced similar events. Today my friend is very well, the surgery was a huge success....and thus began my attraction to mixing science and art.

I hope you enjoyed - thanks for listening. I'll post another science related work this week - stay tuned!

37 comments:

Megan said...

very interesting, I have always been interested in using x-rays for an art project. I like what you did very much, and the way people interacted with it, as well as your interpretation of their experience is very intuitive.

Cindy said...

i love reading about the thought process behind the creation of the piece and how you turned it into something that was interactive.

i would have definitely touched those threads. they make me think of how life is intertwined because i would think they got a little be tangled. kind of like you and your friend. hope that makes sense.

i think it's great - thanks for sharing. and, please sir, can we see a lot more of diana's work?

Unknown said...

it's really very cool, actually. especially with that story behind it. wow.

Krissy | Paper Schmaper said...

Diana, this is seriously brilliant! I love it. Your story and process down to people's interactions with the piece. Thanks so much for sharing :)

jae said...

Thanks for sharing this. It really shows the inspiration and thought behind the process. Love it.

yasmine said...

i love it! i love the combo of something technical as an xray with something crafty like the thread. it makes it so interesting.

Anonymous said...

Wow! That's incredbile. Glad to know your friend's doing better.

Thanks for sharing your art work :D

please sir said...

Thanks for all your comments! You all have such wonderful insight. Quaint - I never thought of it that way, what a wonderful interpretation - thank you for sharing!

Mrs.French said...

I absolutely love when you share personal bits with us. This story was so telling of who you are. You seem to be an amazing person, as well as an amazing artist! I knew there was a reason I love stopping by here so much!

Jude said...

I'm completely impressed! This is amazing work, and you definitely need to share your personal artistic side with us more often.

I have an x-ray of my hip taken post-replacement surgery. Not as thrilling as brain x-rays, but I look at it every now and then and am still amazed at how everything is held together. I had a 'surgery recovery' party last June and proudy displayed the x-ray on a lightbox in the kitchen to show off the new hardware!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

What a beautiful story. This artwork really fascinated me, especially when hearing where the inspiration came from.

And I'm glad to hear your friend's surgery was successful! -Julia

aimee said...

what a fascinating post! i love examples of art that cross disciplines.

Laura said...

this is amazing...i cant wait to see what other science related posts you have in store.

PS youve been awarded. details are on my blog.

Wayfaring Wanderer said...

Great story surrounding what guided you to create the installation. I hope you have more of your own pieces to share......

Anonymous said...

This is great! Maybe you can do something with my colon! LOL

http://dailyafirmation.livejournal.com/2005/09/22/

SandraRee said...

Life & Science = Art

Happy to hear your friend's surgery was a success!

Hila said...

Wow, this is powerful - and is exactly what art is supposed to do. I actually teared up reading this post :)

Crave said...

What a great inspiration with a lovely and unique outcome. Well done! And all of your posts the last few days have been very interesting and beautiful in their own way....keep it up!

Unknown said...

This is the best post ever and you are one talented person..I laughed about the 'x-ray' part, obviously your friend knows he can hand you anything and you'll figure out something artistic to do with it. I wonder what went through the minds of all those people when they flicked through the x-rays haha..

Victoria said...

Beautiful and engaging, I love seeing the work, and hearing the meaningful story behind it. So, happy that your friend is better!

Jan said...

Oh my gosh Pleasie, that was so interesting. Thanks for sharing a piece of you. I love it. This is just a great and inspiring post. Have a great night.

Regardez Moi said...

I loved this post, and your work. When I saw the red thread I thought of spinal chord and it looked almost eerie to me. It's always so interesting to read other people's interpretations of the same piece. This was wonderful, thank you for sharing.

Scatterbrain Tal said...

Thank you for sharing your work. I think it's so interesting to see how people react around a work like yours...how art can be comforting! I can really relate to this, as I find my therapy in the creative process. It truly helps you deal and understand in deeper levels.
Lovely!

Anonymous said...

Diana, I'm so glad to see some of your work and to hear your thought process behind it. Fantastic! I look forward to more!

Scatterbrain Tal said...

I forgot to mention how much I'm loving this blog... I feel touched by the things you write about art.
It's in my fave list on my blog as well.:)
Have a great weekend!

Drömma-Lotta said...

Lovely that you share it with us.
And that your friend is ok!!
Interesting I guess, to see peoples faces too.

Love from Sweden and Dromma Lotta

Anonymous said...

I love this! And love that you share your art with us -- you are very talented. xo Abbey

evencleveland said...

What a great post. I really wish I could have seen this - the textures are fascinating to read about - wax-dipped thread vs. the films - and I love that it was tactile - that you let people physically interact with it.

Wow.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

This is fascinating art work! It looks as if the blood vessals were flowing off the X-rays on towards infinity.
Glad to hear your friend's surgery went well

kate said...

So glad I came upon this post! I think this is a wonderful piece. I have been collecting images of x-rays and actually have a series of artist trading cards in mind using some skull x-rays. You have inspired me to finish it! I use a lot of thread and string dipped in wax in my own work so I really appreciated how you used it to such great effect in your piece. Look forward to seeing more of your art and science pieces.

Unknown said...

Wow, it's GORGEOUS. and i love the meaning and depth to it. i love how art can be a healing experience. i'm so impressed, diana!!

.girl ferment. said...

this is beautiful.
i would run my hand along the thread too.

glad your friend is well.

xx

naphtali said...

thank you so much for sharing! what a touching story.

Alexa Johnson said...

Hi Diana! Thanks for your comment today. It reminded me to stop by and visit--I just haven't been blog reading much, and miss you! LOVE this piece--the process, the meaning, the medium, the audience interaction, all of it! As a former genetics teacher now designing with flowers, art and science are my favorite powerful combination. They always speak to me!
Hope you've been well! I promise to be around more soon again!
--Alexa

Alexa Johnson said...

Hi Diana! Thanks for your comment today. It reminded me to stop by and visit--I just haven't been blog reading much, and miss you! LOVE this piece--the process, the meaning, the medium, the audience interaction, all of it! As a former genetics teacher now designing with flowers, art and science are my favorite powerful combination. They always speak to me!
Hope you've been well! I promise to be around more soon again!
--Alexa

Unknown said...

you're an artistic and conceptual genius.

Anonymous said...

You have indeed a lot of thoughts on different things and decided to put them in words to share with us readers!

Shoulder Workout

Post a Comment

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Even if I don't get a chance to respond please know that I read and appreciate your thoughts. Every comment counts!

Related Posts with Thumbnails