BROWN, ROGAN | "CYTOKINESIS: GLIAL VARIATION", HAND AND LASER CUT LAYERED PAPER SCULPTURE IN CUSTOM SHADOW BOX, 2019
BROWN, ROGAN
Cytokinesis: Glial Variation, 2019
Hand and laser cut layered paper in custom shadow box (47 x 46 inches)
Cytokinesis: Glial variation is a hand and laser cut paper sculpture which dramatizes the surreal beauty of an everyday biological process in the human body.
Despite the sci-fi sounding title this sculpture is inspired by one of the most common, quotidian processes in nature, namely mitosis or cell division. At any given moment millions of cells in our bodies are dividing and multiplying in order to replenish and maintain our skin, hair, intestine or bodily organs. Cytokinesis is the final, climactic stage of mitosis when the cell wall ruptures and splits in two to form identical daughter cells. This sculpture attempts to freeze that ultimate moment of transformation and becoming.
This work depicts the mitosis of a glial cell. These cells are known as the "supporting cells" of the nervous system . The four main functions of glial cells are: to surround neurons and hold them in place, to supply nutrients and oxygen to neurons, to insulate one neuron from another, and to destroy and remove the carcasses of dead neurons (clean up). Glial cells are notable for their dendritic (branch) structure and for being the only cells in the brain to undergo division in adulthood. Interestingly when Einstein’s brain was analyzed in 1985 by American scientist Marian Diamond she discovered that there was much higher number of glial cells than in an average human brain. Subsequent research has revealed that astrocytes, a type of glial cell, are key elements in the creation of synaptic connections, perhaps explaining Einstein’s superior intelligence.
Of course we all learn about cell division in high school but those of us that do not go on to become scientists tend to forget it or simply take it for granted. And yet revisited and viewed from the perspective of the artist’s imagination we can perhaps better appreciate the wonder of this strange, beautiful and dramatic process.
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BROWN, ROGAN
Cytokinesis: Glial Variation, 2019
Hand and laser cut layered paper in custom shadow box (47 x 46 inches)
Cytokinesis: Glial variation is a hand and laser cut paper sculpture which dramatizes the surreal beauty of an everyday biological process in the human body.
Despite the sci-fi sounding title this sculpture is inspired by one of the most common, quotidian processes in nature, namely mitosis or cell division. At any given moment millions of cells in our bodies are dividing and multiplying in order to replenish and maintain our skin, hair, intestine or bodily organs. Cytokinesis is the final, climactic stage of mitosis when the cell wall ruptures and splits in two to form identical daughter cells. This sculpture attempts to freeze that ultimate moment of transformation and becoming.
This work depicts the mitosis of a glial cell. These cells are known as the "supporting cells" of the nervous system . The four main functions of glial cells are: to surround neurons and hold them in place, to supply nutrients and oxygen to neurons, to insulate one neuron from another, and to destroy and remove the carcasses of dead neurons (clean up). Glial cells are notable for their dendritic (branch) structure and for being the only cells in the brain to undergo division in adulthood. Interestingly when Einstein’s brain was analyzed in 1985 by American scientist Marian Diamond she discovered that there was much higher number of glial cells than in an average human brain. Subsequent research has revealed that astrocytes, a type of glial cell, are key elements in the creation of synaptic connections, perhaps explaining Einstein’s superior intelligence.
Of course we all learn about cell division in high school but those of us that do not go on to become scientists tend to forget it or simply take it for granted. And yet revisited and viewed from the perspective of the artist’s imagination we can perhaps better appreciate the wonder of this strange, beautiful and dramatic process.
Condition Report:
To request a condition report for this lot, please email science@sothebys.com.
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Time, Location
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