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The beauty of the
DNA molecule was discovered in the middle of the
20th century. This was hailed as one of the most significant
scientific achievements in history. Form spoke for function and gave
birth to molecular biology, genetics, biotechnology and finally to
the human genome project. The world of visual arts responded to
these developments in the scientific arena and a new art movement,
often termed as genome art or DNA art
emerged. When the artistic touch embraced atoms and chemical bonds,
the double helix became "the Mona Lisa of genome
art". We, at ScienceConnexion, hope to
disseminate scientific knowledge to the society through the
production of artistic images of selected genetic discoveries by
employing traditional Byzantine and Ottoman arts. As you will see in
the following pages, our genome art product set is a unique marriage
between the genetic and the cultural heritage of mankind. It starts
with the description of a biologic event that takes place in our
cells and continues with the symbolic harmonization of the idea with
traditional art motifs.
Then comes the choice of materials
and production methods. All the fabrics used in ScienceConnexion
products are authentic and indigenous to the
Anatolian peninsula. They are specially
manufactured in the hand mills of towns such as Odemis, Kastamonu
and Sirnak. Embroidery, printing, ornamentation and tailoring are
all made by hand. In the scientific world, many
believe that a picture is worth a thousand words. We believe just
one look at our genome art products is worth a million words. We
cordially welcome you to the world of ScienceConnexion and sincerely
hope that you will enjoy using our products for many years to come.
Genomically yours |
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Iclal Ozcelik is a graduate of
Robert College and Bogazici University in Istanbul,
Turkey. She completed her MSc degree in International Banking and
Finance at Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK.
For over fifteen years, investment banking dominated her career and
finally she served as a senior research analyst and managing
director of the Istanbul-based investment bank, Alfa Securities. She
had an early interest in fine arts, which she shared with her
husband during their travels in Turkey and abroad. Over the years,
her passion in fine arts grew and finally culminated into the
establishment of ScienceConnexion brand.
Tayfun Ozcelik is a human geneticist who
graduated from Istanbul Medical School. He was
trained at Yale and Stanford Universities as a
medical geneticist, and conducted research on the chromosomal
localization of human genes at the Howard Hughes Medical
Institute. He returned to Istanbul University about a
decade ago as the founding head of the Department of Genetics. He
introduced DNA-based individual identification to the Turkish
judiciary system. Currently, he is a Professor of Molecular
Biology and Genetics at Bilkent University. He is the
author of many scientific publications in prestigious journals, such
as Nature, Nature Genetics, Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences, and American Journal of Human
Genetics. Since his early childhood, Dr. Ozcelik was
interested in Byzantine, Ottoman and early Renaissance art. With the
discovery of a genetic mechanism, namely somatic mosaicism, that
leads to a neurodevelopmental disorder in one of his patients, he
realized the power of artistic expression in disseminating
scientific knowledge. Three of his designs that form the basis of
various ScienceConnexion products were featured as cover art
in Nature Genetics (www.nature.com/ng/index.html). Currently, he is
designing genome art motifs, and continues his research on Rett
Syndrome and the role of skewed X-chromosome inactivation in female
predisposition to autoimmunity.
HOLIDAY BUYING
ScienceConnexion brand and products have been
recommended by the Museum Store Association as Must-have Holiday
Merchandise. On the left, you can see and read the "Holiday Buying 2006" article in the
Summer issue of the MSA's Museum Store Magazine.
IN PRESS
Read the "Molecular Creativity" article (in Turkish) about ScienceConnexion in Maison Française Magazine in February, 2007
Read the "Brand rises from Genom Art and Turkish Motifs" article (in Turkish) about ScienceConnexion in Boğaziçi Magazine in February, 2007
Read the "Science inspires Art" article (in Turkish) about ScienceConnexion in Varan Yol Boyunca Magazine

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