Layers of Cardiac Fibers
About the Project
The "Layers of Cardiac Fibers" project is the result of a collaboration between artist Denise Yaghmourian and Dr. Tobias Jakobi, an assistant professor and researcher at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. The project aims to bridge the gap between scientific investigation and artistic expression by translating complex scientific imagery of heart muscle tissues into an aesthetically compelling visual medium. Both collaborators noted the inherent beauty and inspiring nature of the stained cell images, which sparked the creative process.
Medium: Assorted embroidery threads, yarn, paint on mesh
Retail cost: $750 each
Behind the work
The artwork is based on specific visual imagery generated in Dr. Jakobi's lab, where researchers use fluorescent dyes and microscopes to visualize different components of heart muscle cells to study cardiovascular disease. The dyes are designed to make specific RNA species and other cellular structures visible under particular wavelengths of light, resulting in distinct colors that form the basis of the artwork's color palette and visual texture. The project was completed in the spring of 2022 and subsequently exhibited in various locations across Arizona.
