Splice

Constance Lavino Bell Library, Ethel Walker School

September — November 2018

This exhibition included two related installations and several works on paper that explore the double helix form, one of the most recognizable symbols of our time. Together the works create a bridge between genetic engineering, textile traditions, and abstract art. As genetic engineering becomes more pervasive, I believe it is important to pause to recognize the potential and consequences of this technology. Spreading across a corner, the installation Splice appears viral and organic. The painted paper is fragile and precarious in places. Viewers can see that the paper forms have been delicately woven together, mimicking the intricate perforations of lace. Textiles, like DNA, are rooted in patterns. The natural connection between these two elements shows that our desires to see and conjure patterns originate in our genetic makeup.