9/21/2006
Ugly Virus transformed into Art

By Clara Chow
Arts Correspondent

	photo: Desmond Wee
	SARS REDEFINED: Artist Mara Haseltine shows her sculpture to Professor Rolf Hilgenfeld of the University of Lubeck in Germany, who helped identify the SARS virus’ protease, which is its weak point.

For the past two years, American artist Mara Haseltine has been turning the dreaded virus into art.

Her sculpture, which is modeled after the shape of the active cleft of the Sars Virus, was unveiled last night by Mr Philip Yeo, chairman of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), at the Biopolis science hub in Buona Vista.

It was commissioned by JTC Corporation to celebrate the achievements of the scientific community at Biopolis, which helped discover many aspects of the Sars virus in 2003.

The $250,000 sculpture was a vibrant reminder of how science can make a difference, said Mr Yeo.

More than 80 guests attended the event last night, including former Spanish foreign minister Ana Palacio, now the senior vice-president and general council of the World Bank.

JTC had sent out a call for entries here in 2003 and invited Ms Haseltine to submit one after a chance encounter with her artwork in the United States.

Her concept was eventually picked from more than 40 entries.

Called Sars Inhibited, the 3000kg sculpture of polished bronze and stone is 2m tall, 4m long and 2.5m wide and was shipped to Singapore for assembly.

Said Ms Haseltine, "I'm obsessed with natural beauty and how its created. So Sars was very difficult for me because I found it so hideously ugly and twisted."

The 32 year- old eventually decided to focus on a tiny cleft in the virus.

The cleft is significant because, when it comes into contact with a drug called the protease inhibitor, it jams up and renders the virus ineffectual.

The artists other projects around the world include creating living sculptures out of coral reefs.

Visitors to Biopolis can walk through her sculpture.

Said Ms Haseltine: Its about how terrifying Sars is. But more than that, its about how the consciousness and innovation of humans can stop it from spreading.