Digital DNA is a public art sculpture commissioned by the Palo Alto Public Arts Commission for Lytton Plaza in Downtown Palo Alto, California. It was created by Adriana Varella and Nilton Malz and installed in 2005.
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The Palo Alto Public Arts Commission is primarily funded by the Palo Alto City Council and aims to beautify the city and support (often emerging) contemporary artists while contributing to the cultural life of the community. [1] In 2000, the seven member Commission approved the modern artwork Digital DNA for the .2-acre (810 m2) plaza on the corner of University Avenue and Emerson Street. The Commission voted to purchase the sculpture for $9,950 from its creators Adriana Varella and her husband Nilton Malz. [2] [3] [4]
Digital DNA is a seven foot tall (by five feet across) egg-shaped sculpture made of welded steel and recycled computer silicon circuit boards applied to polystyrene bead foam with an epoxy fiberglass skin, and finished with UV resistant polyurethane clear automotive paint. [5] [2] Sewn into the surface are phrases relating to technology, suggested by non-artists, and written in a variety of languages. Varella explained that "from PhDs to prostitutes and homeless, everybody had a say." [3]
The "egg" is meant to recognize Palo Alto as the birthplace of Silicon Valley. Linda Craighead, Palo Alto Arts Center Director, feels that the work represents "the power of technology to bring the world together." [6] Varella said of the design, "I don't want to preach truths, just trigger ideas. It reminds me (of) the Faberge eggs given as a gift to the Russian imperial family." [3]
Digital DNA was commissioned in 2000. In 2001, while moving from Palo Alto to San Francisco Varella used her shared garage to store unattached pieces of the artwork. Her neighbor mistook the unfinished work for junk, and threw it out. Varella lost six months of work. [7]
The installation of the piece was originally scheduled for May 8, 2004 but was delayed due to changes in city policy regarding the hiring of city vendors. By June an installer had been hired, and Digital DNA was ready to be installed however a conflicting plan for the complete redesign of the plaza had been made public. Former Palo Alto mayor Leland Levy and real estate developer Roxy Rapp proposed a $500,000 revitalization of Lytton plaza. The design featured a central fountain, but did not include Digital DNA.[7] [4]
On June 17, the Palo Alto Public Art Commission held a meeting to discuss the future of Digital DNA in relation to the fountain plan. Levy and Rapp requested that the installation of the artwork be further delayed until their proposal was formally presented to the City Council. The Commission unanimously voted to study the fountain plan, but also reiterated their desire for the immediate installation of Digital DNA.[7] [4]
Following the vote, Arts and Culture Director Leon Kaplan, the city employee overseeing the project, made a shocking announcement. About a month prior, on May 19, there had been a fire in the San Bruno warehouse where Digital DNA was being stored. 11 days after the original installation date, Digital DNA was completely destroyed.[7]
Because the fire occurred after the installation of Digital DNA had been delayed by city staff, some public officials blamed its loss on city employees. Varella hired an attorney to investigate the city's liability for the loss. Suspicions rose that the fire had been masterminded to allow the fountain plan to move forward. [7] [4]
Insurance reimbursed the city for the cost of the lost sculpture, with the exception of a $2,500 deductible. The artists were paid in full for their work, and were willing to recreate Digital DNA for $10,000. On August 19, 2004 the Commission voted to fund a second version of the artwork. [8] [3]
In late April 2005 Digital DNA was again ready to be displayed, however, the installation was slightly delayed due to weather and other factors. [9] The second iteration of Digital DNA debuted in Lytton Plaza in May, and was officially unveiled June 9-10, 2005 with a reception and dedication. [10] [11]
Two weeks prior to the unveiling, Digital DNA was vandalized. Six circuit boards were removed from the sculpture and several wires were pulled out, but Varella was able to repair the damages before the event. An earlier plan to install surveillance equipment in the plaza was reconsidered as a result of the vandalism. Police speculated that the crime was committed by drunken patrons of local bars. [6]
In April 2008, a public-private partnership (including city staff, Levy, and Rapp) renewed the 2004 undertaking to revitalize Lytton Plaza with a large-scale redesign. The old proposal, which did not incorporate Digital DNA, was never approved, but will be revisited. Levy expressed the group's desire to present a plan to which everyone can agree. According to Sunny Dykwel, a leader of the advocacy effort, Digital DNA is a beautiful piece of art, which they intend to protect. [12]