Genomics in Quilting
It isn't very often that I can find science that I understand intersecting with a craft that I enjoy -- so I'm interrupting my discussion of log cabin blocks with another quilting/color theory sort of post. Beverly St. Clair creates quilts based on an organism's genomic information.
Genome Quilts by Beverly St. Clair
Many artists have tried to use genetic information to come up with unique art. Some composers have tried to use the 4 chemicals that make up DNA to create music, for instance. But I have to say that these quilts are the first art form that I can really relate to. I particularly like the Hep C Virus quilt.
And given her approach of assigning each chemical a quilt square, it's an approach that could be modified for personal interests and used not only for genetic information, but for almost anything you wanted to "encode" in a quilt.
Oh, I love these, too! Between that link and your 9-patch blooming quilt, I may be converted to quilting yet. I love the idea of a coded quilt!
Thanks for the inspiring link! I really like the simplicity and logic behind Ms. St. Clair's encoding. It has a semaphore-like quality that's quite nice.
Very cool; I know I'm going to think all day about how to adapt this idea to knitting. Thanks!
Oh my goodness, that is so cool! Thanks for sharing the link!
Cool! Those remind me of the cellular automaton patterns from Debbie New's book. Definitely something to try for my next quilt.
Encoding genetic information on a quilt? Would that make you the quilting, scientific Madame Defarge?
I love those quilts! I also really, really like the celebration quilt on her site. I've always loved quilts, but I don't know if I have the perseverance to deal with all of those scraps of fabric!
This is an AWESOME website that you linked to! the genome quilt...
that is just amazing!
thanks so much!
:o)
That is really neat. Liz's comment struck home for me, ever since I read a Tale of Two Cities, I've wondered how to knit names like Madame Defarge.
Very cool idea. I love the Hep C quilt too - do you think the overall O shape is in the sequence, or she rotated it to be like that?
That just shows how everything inter-relates. So will you be taking a stab at "enconding" your own quilt?
Those are great! Mom has started quilting and has taken off...I've sent her your url on occassion, but I think these genome quilts are a bit beyond her as yet. I really like them!
I've been lurking on your site for quite a while. I have to say being a molecular biologist and a fiber junkie, those quilts tickle me to no end. Great inspiration! Thanks.