Floor to Ceiling

Creating Humanescence was an exhilarating endeavor, a dynamic floor-to-ceiling sculpture capturing the intricacies of human anatomy. Commissioned by the UC Denver Health Sciences Center under the auspices of the Colorado Council of the Arts, this permanent installation graces the new Health Sciences Library atrium, extending a warm welcome to all who enter. The very name of the sculpture, a fusion of “human,” “essence,” and “luminescence,” encapsulates its essence.

To bring this vision to life, I melded anatomical insights from the National Library of Medicine’s Visible Human Project with my patented 3D presentation and lighting techniques. Using methods I devised and patented, I meticulously transferred anatomical features from photographic images onto 241 stainless steel filaments, each measuring 25 feet in length and 3/4 inch in width.

The finished sculpture, anchored in a matrix affixed to the ceiling, descends to a striking oak pedestal two floors below. As viewers traverse around the sculpture, they are mesmerized by its shimmering presence, a result of the moiré pattern formed by the interplay of the filaments.

To enhance the allure of the imagery, energy-efficient fluorescent lighting adorns the top and base of the sculpture, imbuing the body’s contours with a mesmerizing self-illumination effect. This interplay of light and form evokes a visual paradox, inviting contemplation on the complexities and challenges facing the medical profession.

In crafting Humanescence, my aim was to strike a delicate balance between density and transparency, a reflection of the intricate nature of human anatomy. Each filament, meticulously aligned and hand-illustrated, contributes to the rich tapestry of this monumental artwork, underscoring the profound beauty and complexity of the human form.