Science to Street Art

SCIENCE TO STREET ART
Collaboration with Scientists

Spray Paint
LOCATION: Luna’s Grocery - 2010 Red Arrow Trail, Madison, WI

More info on our scientists and the project here

I had the honor of working with the Wisconsin Institute of Discovery (WID) on their project of bringing street art together with science. Chosen to collaborate on a design representing Big Data & Precision Medicine, after meeting my scientists*, it was obvious why the universe paired us together. I am a huge advocate of creating awareness of our environment impacting our health as well as encouraging people to make better individual choices to improve their own health. Also, the effects of our ancestors passed on via epigenomes is fascinating. Most importantly, I love to paint! So this project was not only a learning experience, but an opportunity to provide some fun color and imagery to a serious topic. Together, scientists Rupa Sridharan, Irene Ong and I got to work creating a design that could represent everything they wanted to convey about their field in a 14 x 20’ spray painted mural.

The Design: The woman’s face in focus in the center of the two blurred profiles represents the need for individual care. DNA inclusive of epigenomes surround them with the words: Choices, Environment (both effecting our health), Big Data, Precision Medicine. To the right are trees which represent our environment. To the left are enlarged proteins, a metabolite molecular structure and RNA strand.

Painting- Major challenges were: Low pressure spray paint in below 20° (the paint doesn’t come out of the can, or stick to the wall), corrugated steel with spray paint (we often use quick even lines for precision- very difficult sliding across a beveled wall) and there was a tree full of leaves directly in front (stepping back to see progress is key in street art). Some of the lines are not as crisp as I’m used to, but given the circumstances I did great! It was lovely to have people from the neighborhood stop by to say “thank you” or watch me spray for a bit. Honestly, in those moments the pressure of perfection fades and I realize the whole point is to brighten a community. (Plus I saw a salamander!)