- © 2008 Canadian Medical Association
From a leaping frog to a kaleidoscope swirl, the images submitted to a first annual digital art contest and e-exhibit were hugely varied, offering intriguing interpretations of the place where visual art and genetics meet (http://genomealberta.ca/vote.aspx).
In all, works from 25 artists worldwide were submitted to the contest, which was sponsored by GenomeAlberta and Genome Canada, in conjunction with the 2008 GE3LS International Symposium. More than 800 online viewers cast votes, with the final decision being made by a panel of 4 judges, including 3 academics in medicine and art, and a vice president from Genome Canada.
Four prizes were awarded: 3 for the main contest, and an additional Genome Canada Select Prize, which was limited to Canadian entries.
Nirit Zer Evyatar, 26-6-06 (2008). The first prize ($1000) winner is from Tel Aviv, Israel. She writes that the digital print is “created from a scan of my own and my partner's chromosome test results. Made while I was pregnant, it portrays my future son's imaginary genotype, while telling a story of a couple's relationship, involving love, control, fear and ego.” Image by: Courtesy of GenomeAlberta
Gilbert Croteau, Genomosaic (2008). Croteau of Montréal, Quebec, won both 2nd prize ($500) and the Genome Canada Select Prize. He writes: “This photo mosaic is composed of hundreds of small photographs of plants forming a matrix of a larger photo of an orchid, Acanthephipium papuanum. Thus, the more you enlarge the mosaic the more you distinguish the individual plants (see inset), suggesting that there are common genes in the plant kingdom.” Image by: Courtesy of GenomeAlberta
Stuart Lanctôt Kinmond, Genomics Unleashed (2008). Digital image. The third prize ($500) winner, from Ottawa, Ontario, explains: “In time, genetic science may enable us to remediate many problems: ill health, environmental threats, energy depletion, etc. It will also be used and abused, unleashing unimagined benefits and problems. Genomics Unleashed suggests the potential impact of this new science; from nucleotides to galaxies, all the universe may someday be affected and manipulated.” Image by: Courtesy of GenomeAlberta