portfolio : laurentharrington
Sensing Viral Paths (2020-)
This is an ongoing project that explores the geometric properties of virus structure as an insight into the biopolitical facets of epidemiological narratives. It is an aesthetic exploration and metaphorical articulation of these relationships through mixed media. The initial inquiry began in June 2019, and I conceived of the project idea in January 2020.
I look at the Hamiltonian protein assembly of virus capsids, the shell that contains the virus’s RNA (genetic information). I then apply that physical expression of information and project it onto associative subjects and narratives which are generated from the virus, which I call “affectual space.” This practice brings a critical history of public health into a media space and recontextualizes normative sensing of viruses through material synthesis.
Structure is informed by icosahedral shape of virus capsid.
Process is informed by Hamiltonian protein assembly path.
Process is informed by Hamiltonian protein assembly path.
Coiled ligaments as building blocks to structure.
Coil is analogous to helical RNA.
Coil is analogous to helical RNA.
Cement-casted icosahedral crown with hamiltonian paths to be superimposed around edges of structure
New narratives are generated by applying the hamiltonian construction of the virus onto textual polytopes .