~ material studies ~
Just a material girl living in a material world prone to entropy
Suspended above the column a valve containing an oxidizing solution drips onto a bed of salt and iron. Over the course of the installation, this combination alters the sculpture’s foundation composed of cement and volcanic rock— creating an accelerated visual of weathering change.
Clips from ‘Origin Story’ exhibition TANK Space Gallery Houston, TX (2021-2022)
City soil samples ~ breaking up to isolate microbes
(with Wang Labs— a synthetic biology, genomic, and evolution lab at Columbia University)
City soil microbiome growth and sequencing.
Genetically modified yeast cells to express yellow/ orange pigments — successful transformation plate showing yeast cells that have integrated the beta-carotene pathway. (displaying contaminated growth as well)
Collaboration with genetically modified yeast ~ Agar Pallets ~
The colors of the palette include yeast engineered to express colored proteins from the DNA sequences of jellyfish (pink and fluorescent green), sea anemone (blue), coral (purple), and proteins from the metabolic pathways of violacein (found in bacteria; black and gray) and beta carotene (found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and red peppers; yellow, orange, and red).
(Gene edited yeast strains from the Boeke lab, a synthetic biology, genomic, and genetic lab at NYU)
Microbe Painting Samples
Genetically modified pigment producing yeast cells grown onto linen canvas.
(Inspired by Helen Frankenthaler)
Growing multiple genetically modified strains onto one agar plate.
Bacterial pigment and canvas tests (serratia marcescens)
copper salt crystalized onto carbon steel
Left: Calcium carbonate and co2 exposure from the ambient air test (seeing how long takes the liquid to go from clear to milky in reaction with environmental co2)
Right and Below: Cyanobacteria growth (growth from creating artificial light and movement)
Light’s reactions with different materials.