Laura Splan Solo Exhibition Opens at the New York Hall of Science

Queens, N.Y. – Artist Laura Splan’s father and sister have been in the medical field all of her life. This influence is dramatically brought to life in the artwork shown in her current solo exhibition at the New York Hall of Science, curated by Cynthia Pannucci and organized by Art & Science Collaborations, Inc. (ASCI), an 18-yr.old, NYC nonprofit.

One of the three series of her artwork included in this exhibition is Doilies, a series of computerized machine embroidery doilies based on the intricate, delicate structures of human viruses: Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepadna Virus, Herpes Virus, SARS Virus and Influenza Virus. This work explores the “domestication” of microbial and biomedical imagery. Many recent events, epidemics, and commercial products have brought this imagery into our living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. Bio-terrorism, SARS and antibacterial soaps alike have all heightened our awareness of the microbial world. Doilies serve as a metaphor for the way we have adapted our everyday lives to these now everyday concerns. Here domestic artifacts and heirlooms manifest the psychological heredity of our cultural anxieties.

In another two series, Thought Patterns and Reflexive, Splan uses her own blood to draw depictions of the neuroanatomical structures in our body that tell us we sense pain or pleasure. Bleeding itself is an involuntary response of sorts to the penetration of the skin. The images serve as visual metaphors for the delicate fragility of the human body.

ONLINE EXHIBITION: www.asci.org/artikel818.html

Art & Science Collaborations, Inc. (ASCI) is an 18-year old nonprofit membership organization based in New York City. For more information on ASCI, please visit www.asci.org.

###

Media Contacts: Mary Record, 718.699.0005, ext. 323
Carol Nordin, 718.699.0005, ext. 342