Description

Metastasize vs. Mathematize is a mini-Mural Aluminum frame and panel with metal flake finish depicting a tumor with mutant cells, flow cells and animation of Kamel’s mathematical formula projected on piece. Metastasize vs. Mathematize means that cancer will be challenged by mathematics: The mathematical formula that can spot mutations early on, will be projected over the artwork that represents cancerous cells. Within the art are actual “flow cells” used in the Lab which represent “humans”: The idea being that ALL OF US might one day be cancer victims.

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About the Process

After the Meet and Greet established us as a Team (“Team Kamel-bac” , which is Kamel Lahouel and bacpac), we decided to meet at TGen to discuss concept and execution. A “Studio visit” was required: For Kamel, this would be the Lab at TGen, and for me, as a street artist, my “studio” is the Street.
Kamel came to a Live Painting Event in December where I was painting a large mural outside on 16th street. I went back to Kamel’s office and Lab where we discussed Kamel’s research approach. I had many questions which he answered partially by a slide presentation, and writing on the white board. I pondered, how to make a beautiful piece of art out of a starkly ugly subject (cancer). Since I am a mural artist, and a large-scale mural was not possible, I wanted to construct a mini-mural: A free-standing metal panel which would represent the mutating cells, over which there would be an animation of Kamel’s actual mathematical formula.
Portability was considered a primary factor in designing this panel.
I created the art in Procreate, and drew the layout of the cancer cells on the aluminum sheet. A metal fabricator cut the shapes and we laid them out on the panel; the frame is being made now (July 15th) . The next stage will be for me to paint the panel in urethane metal flake, a custom car finish, as I wanted the “cells” to look like they are the shimmering fluids inside the body. The backing panel will be done with a technique called “cobwebbing” so it will simulate the body tissue. Kamel’s formula will be projected over the piece (you can see this in the process shot video) to represent the idea of “Metastasize vs. Mathematize.”

Meet the Team