On September 10, 1984, British geneticist Alec Jeffreys discovered that every person's DNA is as unique as fingerprints. This is how "genetic fingerprinting" appeared. Now with the help of "genetic prints" it is possible to establish kinship, to prove involvement in a crime, or vice versa - to acquit a falsely accused. DNA fingerprinting has become more available now: it is carried out in portable laboratories, and dozens of enterprises around the world produce equipment for genomic personal identification.

Artists could not pass by the opportunity to get a closer look at DNA. New York-based startup Genetic Ink has undertaken to analyze DNA only and exclusively in the name of art. According to the developed algorithm, the sequence of nitrogenous bases in the client's DNA is converted into a scheme designed by Mathieu Daudelin. As a result, 17 variants of unique posters can be received. Those interested can order not only a “portrait” of their DNA, but also posters with the DNA of their pets.

Chinese artist Lu Xinjian went further and painted the structure of DNA for various metropolitan areas of the world. This project began not with a laboratory, but with the Google Earth program. Inspired by satellite imagery, the artist presented maps of cities in the form of conventional lines and icons. This is how pictures from the cycle "City DNA" appeared.

The ArtHall gallery presents the works of the St. Petersburg artist Andrey Gorbunov, whose portfolio includes a series of works dedicated to DNA.

“It seems to me that the human body can be viewed as one of the elements of an artistic form. They ask me why I am fixated on anatomy, on the body. Because this is exactly where it all starts: we got a body first, and then clothes. We hang on ourselves a lot of artificial and pretend to be real. And the real ones - where are we? We are real only in shower. And in soul." Read the full interview with Andrey Gorbunov for our gallery. .