Vasia Hatzi laB. MEDinARTMed in Art

inArt

Vasia Hatzi

Medical Fields
Biology, Biomedical Science, Genetics, Histology, Laboratory Medicine, Microscopy

Creative Forms
Conceptual art
Design
Fashion
Jewellery

Website / Blog
www.la-B.gr

Places
Athens, Greece

LaB. Bio-Conceptual Creations is a hybrid world of Biology and Art where the biological structures are transformed into wearable bio-conceptual creations.

Each LaB. creation has a symbolism that arises from the real function and role of the inspired biological structure (“biological muse”). In each creation the complexity of the real biological organelle is simplified keeping only the representative lines. This type of subtraction detaches the subject from its image and gives precedence to the power of its identity and its function. The microcosm of LaB., unlike the real one, is ready and open to accept hybrid creatures and creations with scientific structure, beauty charm and bio-conceptual symbolism. Combining her knowledge from the field of Cytogenetics with Imagination, Vasia Hatzi, brings the unseen elements of life outside laboratory and communicate aspects of her science through a different path.

“(I am) Attracted by the harmony, complexity and rare aesthetics of the biological structures. The images of the microcosm obtained directly from the microscope -or indirectly from other laboratory technologies- constitute for the researcher a type of visual language. The scientist interprets the images to evaluate the biological phenomena. However, through the logical interpretation of the scientific process, the aesthetic charm of biological images is often disregarded. Through LaB. Bio-conceptual creations, I try to reverse this approach: to confront the biological images and structures primarily aesthetically and embed them in another framework that elevates their biological role to a universal symbol. Wearable science is a way to embrace our intelligence and to evolve the meaning of beauty. In the world of LaΒ., Intelligence is the new Beauty.”

Vasia Hatzi

The concepts of LaB. bio-conceptual creations and their symbolism through hybrid images. The symbolism of each creation arises from the biological function of the referred organelle. On the left side of the picture are illustrated the biological images as seen under the microscope and on the right side a detail of the bio-conceptual creation. ©Vasia Hatzi

Cell / Bio-symbolism:Matter ©Vasia Hatzi

LaB. Bio-conceptual Creations in the MEDinARΤ exhibition "Where MEDicine and ART collide. Part I: The Greek Artists", Athens Science Festival 2017, Technopolis City of Athens, Greece. Photo credits: Nikolas Kominis / Studio Kominis.

"Erythrocytes" (Necklace). Erythrocytes or Red Blood Cells (from Greek erythros for “red” and kytos for “hollow”, with cyte translated as “cell” in modern usage) are the most common type of blood cells with a unique discoid shape. Deliver oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues via the blood flow. These cells are rich in haemoglobin, an iron containing biomolecule which gives blood its red color. Bio-symbolism: Breath. Image from the MEDinART video projection, TEDMEDLive Athens 2013, Onassis Cultural Center, Athens-Greece. Photo credits: Marianna Vasoni ©Vasia Hatzi

"The Cytoskeleton". Inspired by Cytoskeleton, the proteinaceous network that provides structural support to the cell like the skeleton of the human body. Bio-symbolism: Immortality.

"Endoplasmic Reticulum". Inspired by the Endoplasmic Reticulum: the membranous network in the cell that is continuous with the outer nuclear membrane. Endoplasmic Reticulum is one of the most productive cellular organelle since in its membranes numerous biomolecules are formed (lipids, phospholipids, steroids). Bio-symbolism: Creativity. Photo credits: Raphael Fotopoulos ©Vasia Hatzi

"The 300nm Fiber". Inspired by the tertiary level of DNA packaging within the cell nucleus. This structure is 300nm in diameter and is called 300nm DNA Fiber. The packaging of DNA reflects the highly dynamic profile. Bio-symbolism: Dynamism and Flexibility. Photo credits: Raphael Fotopoulos ©Vasia Hatzi

"DNA Scaffold". Chromatin (from Greek khrōma, which means ”color”). Chromatin is the combination of DNA and proteins that make up the cell nucleus content. DNA molecule is a 2.5m long molecule that fits in the cell nucleus of only 5μm in diametre. To fit inside the tiny cell nucleus, DNA helix undergoes several levels of packaging. At the primary level of DNA packaging the DNA double helix wraps around proteins (histones) forming nucleosomes; the “beads on a string” structure. Multiple histones wrap into a 30 nm fibre consisting of nucleosome arrays in their most compact form. Further chromatin packaging leads to the formation of Scaffold and finally to the formation of chromosome. A human cell nucleus contains 46 chromosomes. The packaging of DNA reflects the highly dynamic structure of the molecule. Bio-symbolism: Dynamism and Flexibility. Photo credits: Yiorgos Assimakopoulos ©Vasia Hatzi

"The 300nm Fiber". Inspired by the tertiary level of DNA packaging within the cell nucleus. This structure is 300nm in diameter and is called 300nm DNA Fiber. The packaging of DNA reflects the highly dynamic profile of the molecule. Bio-symbolism: Dynamism and Flexibility. Photo credits: Yiorgos Assimakopoulos ©Vasia Hatzi

"Nucleosomes". Chromatin (from Greek khrōma, which means ”color”). Chromatin is the combination of DNA and proteins that make up the cell nucleus content. DNA molecule is a 2.5m long molecule that fits in the cell nucleus of only 5μm in diametre. To fit inside the tiny cell nucleus, DNA helix undergoes several levels of packaging. At the primary level of DNA packaging the DNA double helix wraps around proteins (histones) forming nucleosomes; the “beads on a string” structure. Multiple histones wrap into a 30 nm fibre consisting of nucleosome arrays in their most compact form. Further chromatin packaging leads to the formation of Scaffold and finally to the formation of chromosome. A human cell nucleus contains 46 chromosomes. The packaging of DNA reflects the highly dynamic structure of the molecule. Bio-symbolism: Dynamism and Flexibility. Photo credits: Yiorgos Assimakopoulos ©Vasia Hatzi

Vasia Hatzi (in the woods). Wearing the Mitotic Spindle necklace. Photo credits: Raphael Fotopoulos

BIO
Vasia Hatzi stands between two different worlds: Science and Art. She holds a BSc in Genetics (University of Liverpool, UK), an MSc in Applied Genetics & Biotechnology (Aristotle University of Athens, Greece) and a PhD in Cytogenetics (Medical School, University of Athens, Greece). Currently she is a collaborate researcher at NCSR “Demokritos”, Athens-Greece. Her scientific interests are focused on the mechanisms of chromosomal damage, chemically and ionising radiation induced carcinogenesis and light microscopy. For her scientific work she has been nominated with 2 scholarships and 5 awards for presentations in international scientific conferences. Co-author of 30 peer reviewed publications, 4 book chapters, 70 presentations and abstracts in European and International Conferences, reviewer in 12 International journals and member of 5 International Societies. Outside the laboratory she passionately explores the intersection of biomedical sciences and arts. Combining her knowledge from the field of Cytogenetics with imagination and aiming to communicate her science through a different path, she created LaB. Bio-Conceptual Creations (www.La-B.gr): a hybrid world that links Biology with Art, where biological structures are transformed into wearable bio-conceptual creations. Willing to familiarize the general public with biomedical inspired art and connect the biomedical inspired artists from all around the world, Vasia Hatzi created MEDinART (www.medinart.eu): a global art network of artists inspired by Biomedical Sciences. LaB. Bio-Conceptual Creations and MEDinART have been presented in National and International collaborative exhibitions and Sci/Art events in Europe (Greece, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark) and USA (Saint Louis, Atlanta).