New SciArt installation reflects on viruses in our everyday lives

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA — "The BioMachine," a new art installation designed and fabricated by the SciArt team at the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State, offers an interactive exploration of the viruses — like those which cause COVID-19 — that permeate our world.

Visitors to the Huck wing of the Millennium Science Complex on Penn State’s University Park campus are greeted in the lobby by the 10-foot-high aluminum sculpture, which features custom triangular LED screens, an interactive navigation unit, and electronics that run animations.

“The installation contains one main icosahedral structure (a geometric shape with 20 sides, each an equilateral triangle) that represents the architecture of many viruses,” explained Talley Fisher, senior research artist.

Spike proteins protrude from the icosahedron, while cross-sections of various artistically rendered, gear-like viruses cover its surface. Details incorporated into these gears include surface proteins, RNA and DNA sequences, nucleocapsid proteins, and other viral components.

The sculpture is made from powder-coated aluminum to ensure the longevity of the sculpture and produce its metallic finish. The aluminum is lightweight, yet sturdy enough to use for installation.

“Viruses are a part of our everyday lives,” said Director of Science-Art Initiatives Daryl Branford. “In fact, they existed prior to human evolution. Our response to this reality has led to advancements in medicine, food security, and nanotechnology. 'The BioMachine' seeks to explore the dynamic life cycle and coexistence between viruses and humankind to better understand the conditions that influence viral structures, mobility, infection, and history.”

Depictions of viruses incorporated into "The BioMachine" sculpture include influenza, SARS-CoV-2, Herpes Simplex Virus, and Zika — all of which are researched at the Huck.

The SciArt team collaborated with Allison Huffman, a Spring 2022 graduate from the Penn State Behrend Engineering program, to design the piece.

“Alison’s efforts produced a 3D-printed navigational prototype, comprised of Arduinos, LED lights, and proximity sensors, that draws attention to the interactive nature of the installation and provides the ability to seamlessly load videos and animations,” said Branford.

The piece will travel to other Penn State campuses in the future but is currently on display in the lobby of the west wing of the MSC.

In addition to staff from the Huck Institute’s SciArt unit, several external partners contributed to the fabrication and assembly of "The BioMachine." Elliot Barletta, welder at EAB Ironworks in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, contributed to the fabrication of the large frames for the sculpture. Zach Strausbaugh, vice president and director of engineering at Precision Metal Fabricators in York, Pennsylvania, contributed to the engineering and assembly of the design.