Google Your Genome

November 16, 2007 at 9:31 PM · Filed under bioinformatics, genes, genomics, semantics

Well, it looks like 23andMe finally went online. It’s been over a year since I did this sketch (left) and less than that since Google invested heavily in their startup costs. So when I opened up the New York Times today and saw their article on 23andMe’s launch (that’s effective PR), I still couldn’t help but be surprised that they had gotten going so quickly.

The key question for me is about their interface and interaction design. Will it compare to the same old bioinformatic machine style gene representations (square genes; primary colors), or will there be evidence of a concerted effort to push the visual language of the genome into something that connects with the wide array of meaning associated with genes? After I’ve had a chance to browse their site a bit, I’ll report back with some visual analysis. One thing is certain; they’ve definitely internalized the web 2.0 visual style of rounded corners and big type!

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National Academy of Sciences: call for artist proposals

November 16, 2007 at 2:27 AM · Filed under Uncategorized

Subject: National Academy of Sciences: call for artist proposals
Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2007 17:30:39 +0200

http://www7.nationalacademies.org/arts/NAS_Building_Restoration_Art_Proj
ect.html
National Academy of Sciences Building
Restoration Art Project

The Office of Exhibitions and Cultural Programs (OECP) of the National
Academy of Sciences (NAS) is now accepting proposals from artists for a
site-specific work to be installed on or near the NAS building during
its upcoming building restoration project.
For more than 25 years, the National Academy of Sciences has provided
world-class art exhibitions that explore the nexus of art, science,
medicine, and technology to the Washington, D.C. community. Beginning in
the middle of 2009, the historic home of the National Academy of
Sciences (2101 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C.) – including its
exhibition spaces – will close for approximately two years for
restoration. This project provides an opportunity for the NAS to use the
exterior of the building and its grounds as an art installation site.
For more information about the building and its history, click here.

Goals of the installation:
* Engage the public by drawing attention to the restoration of the
historic building.
* Provide a venue for an exploration of ideas pertaining to visual
culture, science, and technology.

Preference will be given to proposals that:
* Understand and use the temporal nature of the installation.
* Creatively take into consideration the evolving nature and
restrictions of a construction site (scaffolding, equipment, etc.).
* Creatively explore the intersection of art, science, medicine, or
technology.
* Relate to the NAS role in the history of science as context for an art
installation.
* Take into consideration that the site is on the National Mall and may
be subject to restriction of the DC government and or the National Park
Service.

Proposals should include:
* A project outline and artist’s statement
* An artist’s bio and CV
* An estimated budget to execute the project

Proposals should be postmarked no later than April 1, 2008. The NAS will
notify those submitting material of the status of their proposal by
email on or before June 1, 2008. All proposal material will be returned
to applicants. Proposals may be submitted by email or postal mail to:

JD Talasek
Director
Office of Exhibitions and Cultural Programs
National Academy of Sciences
500 5th Street, NW
Washington DC, 20001
202-334-3104
fax 202-334-1690
jtalasek@nas.edu
www.nas.edu/arts

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