The ever-changing nature of memory, drawn through chalk art
PORTLAND, Oregon — You might say Kindra Crick has some pretty special DNA.
In 1953, her grandfather, English biologist Francis Crick, wrote a letter to his 12-year-old son Michael. The letter describes the paradigm-shifting discovery he and his colleague had recently made, and contains the now iconic diagram of the structure of DNA — the four-letter code shared by all life-forms on Earth.
Fueled by artistic passion and innate curiosity, Kindra Crick bases her work on scientific research. Using a confocal microscope, Crick and collaborator Dr. John Harkness at Washington State University capture photo images of neurons.
Crick uses these images as the basis for her chalkboard series, exploring the impermanence of memory and encouraging her audience to ponder the mystery and awe of their existence. For Crick, working with chalk provides the perfect metaphor for the nature of memory. While some memories are fixed, others are more fragile, ever-changing. Certainly, all are subjective. Chalk allows her the freedom to experiment with this dynamic.
Her compelling works bring a human element to the scientific research and history that inspires her.
"Artists are perception hackers," Crick told OPB's "Art Beat" in 2017. "It is kind of fun to learn about how people perceive and then see if you can translate that in your artwork."
This report originally appeared on OPB's "Oregon Art Beat."
Support Canvas
Sustain our coverage of culture, arts and literature.
The work of artist Ruth Asawa, who died in 2013, is back in the spotlight with a major traveling exhibition.…
“South Park” co-creator Trey Parker had the briefest of responses Thursday to anger from the White House over the season premiere…
Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was perhaps the biggest star in WWE’s long history. He was the main…
Heavy metal rocker Ozzy Osbourne died this week at 76, about five years after announcing he had Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s…
It’s been a successful few months for 40-year-old writer Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and his play, “Purpose,” which won both the Pulitzer…
The gloomy, demon-invoking lead singer of the pioneering band Black Sabbath who became the throaty, growling voice of heavy metal,…
With summer in full swing, you may be wondering what books to take along on vacation or enjoy right at…
Here are some ideas to help you choose your next read.
Costa Rican authorities report he drowned Sunday afternoon at Playa Cocles on the Caribbean coast.
Broadcast TV’s highest-rated late-night talk show, "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," is being cancelled. Paramount called it a financial…
Congress is moving toward revoking a billion dollars in already approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the entity…
The wholesome pop star's hits included “Pretty Little Baby” and “Who’s Sorry Now?” The latter would serve as an ironic…
Ten years ago, marriage equality became the law of the land when the Supreme Court ruled in the landmark Obergefell…