genetic symphonies

The Science: Hox genes are a group of 13 genes that need to be activated in a specific order (generally from head down to tail) during development. They exist in humans and all sorts of animals, and they produce transcription factors that dictate what bodily parts get formed and when. With so many layers to the science, it was a particularly fun challenge to dream up an interactive installation that gives viewers a hands-on, self-directed way to explore this concept and connect with the art and science on their own terms.

The Viewer Experience (aka “How to use this thing”): The installation consists of two parts - the visual display panel and a separate control podium. The visual panel has 13 mounted boxes which represent the 13 Hox genes, while the control podium houses 13 buttons that activate these “Hox boxes.” The viewer will need to press the buttons and figure out the order for switching on the Hox genes for successful development. When the buttons are pressed in the correct order, lights embedded in the boxes will reveal a hidden human form and a full musical sequence will play. A QR code on the control panel leads to an accompanying website with science content, clues for finding the correct order, and a link to a survey to better understand audience engagement and educational outcomes.

The Imagery: To emphasize the commonality of Hox genes across species, I selected a variety of animals (including reptiles, insects, large and small mammals, birds, and fish) for the focal imagery on the boxes and visual panel. A human silhouette is hidden among the animal cluster - crafted out of LED lights and camouflaged among dummy lights that make up the animal outlines, it serves as a reminder for how humans are intertwined with the natural world and offers a surprise discovery for the audience when they successfully activate the developmental sequence.

The Multi-modalities: I was lucky to be paired with Kat who is a dedicated advocate for disability in STEM because we had a shared vision for incorporating multi-modal interactive elements for this piece from the get go. Drawing on my background as a teacher and speech-language pathologist allowed me to intentionally approach the design process to include thoughtful multi-sensory components that ensure a wide range of users can connect with the concept. Buttons provide a natural tactile element and since Kat is a composer, it was a no brainer to integrate her talents for an auditory component in this project! Just like the lights in each box build on themselves to form a whole, the musical sequence builds on itself with each button adding a new instrument until the development is complete - click to hear the full sequence in its entirety!

The Inspiration: Instead of depicting the literal form of an embryo, the theme of development is anchored in the abstraction of building blocks - not only does it simplify the idea that parts need to come together sequentially to build a whole, but it gives a nod to common toys to invoke a spirit of play. While the 13 Hox boxes on the visual display concretely reflect building blocks, the wooden podium housing the viewer-activated buttons offers a more subtle reference to early childhood toys.

By evoking the idea of play, I hope this installation builds accessible connections to learning and makes complex science more approachable for all ages through viewer-driven exploration.