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

Where biological structures are transformed into wearable bio-conceptual creations.

In science as in art, images have the power to reveal hidden worlds. Through LaB., the invisible architecture of life is translated into universal symbols: organic forms become objects of beauty, curiosity, and meaning.

Inspired by real biological structures – each with its own function, story, and identity – every LaB. creation carries a symbolic message drawn from the living systems that inspired it. Complex cellular architectures are simplified, preserving only their essential lines and character. Through this act of subtraction, the structure moves beyond its original image and emerges as a symbol of its deeper essence.

The LaB. universe is a place where science and imagination can merge freely, where biological elements evolve into hybrid creations with scientific integrity, aesthetic charm, and conceptual depth.

“I am fascinated by the harmony, complexity, and extraordinary aesthetics of biological structures. Images captured through microscopes and laboratory technologies form a visual language through which scientists explore and interpret life. Yet, during scientific analysis, the aesthetic power of these images often remains unnoticed.

Through LaB. Bio-Conceptual Creations, I invite us to look at biology differently: not only as information, but as inspiration. By placing biological forms in a new context, I reveal their beauty and elevate their function into universal symbols.

Wearable science is a way to celebrate human intelligence and expand our understanding of beauty. In the world of LaB., 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

BIO
Vasia Hatzi bridges the worlds of Science and Art. She holds a BSc in Genetics (University of Liverpool, UK), an MSc in Applied Genetics & Biotechnology, and a PhD in Cytogenetics (Medical School, University of Athens, Greece). Her scientific work focuses on the cellular world, chromosomal damage, environmental exposures, and mechanisms related to carcinogenesis. She has received scholarships and international awards for her research, is co-author of 50 peer-reviewed publications, 4 book chapters, and numerous scientific presentations, and has translated a Genetics textbook. Driven by the desire to reveal the beauty hidden within biological systems, she created LaB. Bio-Conceptual Creations in 2012 - a hybrid universe where cellular structures from the microcosm are transformed into wearable bio-conceptual artworks. Exploring the dialogue between biomedical sciences, technology, and the arts, she also founded MEDinART, a global platform connecting bio-medical inspired artists worldwide and promoting the medical art movement internationally. Her work has been presented in international exhibitions and events, and she received the Science Communication Award “ΕΠΙ” for Science Communication through Performing and Visual Arts (Researcher’s Night 2019, Athens).