The Interactive DNA Inspired Climbing Sculpture
The Interactive DNA inspired Climbing Sculpture was created for the Lawrence Hall of Science located at the University of California in Berkeley California. It is used as an interactive exhibit intended to inspire kids and adults to become excited by and learn more about the science of the DNA molecule, by interacting with the sculpture. Children and adults are encouraged to climb around on the sculpture that was designed to symbolically refer to the actual molecule. Information about the real DNA molecule and how it relates to the sculpture is also provided on kiosks around the installation.
The sculpture is 65 feet long, and 5.5 feet tall; it is made of stainless steel and polyethylene plastic. The coil that symbolically represents the double helix spine was made by bending 4-inch stainless steel pipe into a spiral. The multi colored base pairs of the double helix are supported by stainless steel frames, and covered with vac-u-formed polyethylene plastic. A large black rubber cushion pad was installed under and all around the sculpture. In general, the design of the interactive DNA inspired sculpture was symbolically simplified from the real molecule to a point where it became safe for kids and/or adults to climb around on it.
Conceptually, the design of the sculpture attempts to clearly illustrate ways in which art and science can function together in mutually beneficial ways.
Status: Built
Location: Berkeley, CA, US
