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Warning-Biohazard

Object NameSculpture
Artist / Maker (British-American, b. 1948)
Manufacturer (American, b. 1955)
Date1991
OriginUSA
MediumTerra-cotta
Dimensions56 x 96 x 4 in. (142.2 x 243.8 x 10.2 cm)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineAn Iowa Art in State Buildings Project for the Molecular Biology Building. In the Art on Campus Collection, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
CopyrightUniversity Museums, Iowa State University prohibits the copying or reproduction in any medium of materials on this website with the following exceptions: Iowa State University students, faculty, and staff for educational use in formal instruction, papers, presentations and projects; limited non-commercial; and personal use that meets the criteria for fair use as defined in the U.S. copyright laws. Images from the University Museums’ collection cannot be used for publication, apparel/non-apparel merchandise, digital or commercial purposes without prior written permission from the University Museums, Iowa State University. Fair use does not apply to the extent that a license agreement or other contract controls reproduction or other use. University Museums and Iowa State University makes no representation that it is the owner of the copyright of the art object depicted in the photo materials and assumes no responsibility for any claims by third parties arising out of use of the photo materials. Users must obtain all other permissions required for usage of the art object and the photo materials. For more information, please see http://www.museums.iastate.edu/ImageReproduction.html
Object numberU91.73
Status
On view
Label TextAbove the north entrance hangs a single terra-cotta relief called 'Warning-Biohazard'. Two arms reach out from a design of jumbled letters on black and white tiles. When deciphered, the letters read: "HUMAN BEINGS ARE NOT YET WISE ENOUGH TO DIRECT THE COURSE OF EVOLUTION." This is a quote from Robert Sinsheimer, a noted scientist in molecular biology. The two outstretched hands look like the black contamination gloves built into the sides of controlled experimental chambers. These gloves, however, reach out from the building into the environment as if to use us and our surroundings as their experimental chamber. The G-Nome Project fully integrates art and architecture into the Molecular Biology Building. Since the artist, Andrew Leicester, was selected at the start of the project, he was able to work with the architectural firm Hansen Lind Meyer, Inc. to incorporate the art into the building's design. As a result, Iowa State University has gained a striking example of the successful merging of art and architecture, as well as a building rich in meaning and function. When Leicester was commissioned by Iowa State to create this public art, he began to research the kinds of activities that would take place there. He found information at conferences, by attending lectures, by reading books, and through conversation with scientists and students. He kept a sketchbook of ideas and drawings on the subject. It became clear to him that the most debated area of current investigation in the field of molecular biology was transgenetic animal research with both the academic community and the public expressing their opinions. Philosophers, sociologists, animal scientists, and economists were among the many who were discussing the potential legal and economic implications of genetic research.
Locations
  • (not entered)  Iowa State University, Molecular Biology, North entrance/exterior wall
Hy-Brids
Object Name: Sculptures
Andrew Leicester
1991
Object number: U91.72abcd
University Museums, Iowa State University prohibits the copying or reproduction in any medium o ...
Object Name: Sculpture
Andrew Leicester
1991
Object number: U91.71a-h
University Museums, Iowa State University prohibits the copying or reproduction in any medium o ...
Object Name: Sculpture
Andrew Leicester
1991
Object number: U91.75
Veterinary Medicine Mural
Object Name: Bas relief
Christian Petersen
1935-1938
Object number: U88.71
University Museums, Iowa State University prohibits the copying or reproduction in any medium o ...
Object Name: Sculpture
Andrew Leicester
1991
Object number: U91.74a-x
University Museums, Iowa State University prohibits the copying or reproduction in any medium o ...
Object Name: Mosaic Floor
Andrew Leicester
1991
Object number: U91.76
University Museums, Iowa State University prohibits the copying or reproduction in any medium o ...
Object Name: Conception is Capitalization, Mosaic Floor
Andrew Leicester
1991
Object number: U91.77
University Museums, Iowa State University prohibits the copying or reproduction in any medium o ...
Object Name: Mosaic Floor
Andrew Leicester
1991
Object number: U91.78
Marriage Ring (Wedding Ring, Ring of Life)
Object Name: Sculpture
Christian Petersen
1942
Object number: U88.66
Ceramic tile details of 'Novel Agents'
Object Name: Study
Andrew Leicester
January 1991
Object number: U2007.30z
Reclining Nudes
Object Name: Bas relief, Mural
Christian Petersen
1936
Object number: U88.74
Revision of Sheet 4: Moli Bio's Auditorium Mosaic
Object Name: study
Andrew Leicester
February 1991
Object number: U2007.30f