Sounds of HIV: Music Made of AIDS Virus Nucleotides

A few months ago, we spotlighted 7 fascinating experimental music projects, but this is positively the strangest album you’ll ever hear. And possibly one of the most conceptually ingenious. To draw attention to the AIDS epidemic, which claims more than 2 million lives every year, composer Alexandra Pajak decided to capture the “sonic beauty” deep in the genome of the virus. Sounds of HIV “plays” the patterns of the AIDS virus nucleotides and amino acids transcribed by HIV in 17 eerie, mesmerizing tracks.

To create the recording, Pajak used the National Institutes of Health’s record of the retrovirus’ genome to identify the thousands of coded letters transcribed onto DNA once a cell is infected. She then assigned specific pitches to the 20 amino acids manufactured in an infected human cell, ordering them according to their affinity for water. To reflect the profound sadness of the disease, Pajak composed the work in the A minor scale and meticulously double-checked that each of the 9,181 nucleotide-notes was in the right place.

Just knowing that the disease is so devastating and personal, I just wanted to make sure all the notes were right.” ~ Alexandra Pajak

Proceeds from Sounds of HIV benefit breakthroughs in HIV vaccine research at Emory Vaccine Center.

via SciAm

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Marvelous Movember

What Frida Kahlo has to do with Lance Armstrong and neo-hippie jewelry.

2010 has been the year of the mustache. And now it’s the month: We’ve been longtime supporters of Movember, the global monthlong mustache-growing movement raising awareness about prostate cancer. Since 2003, Movember has been encouraging guys to grow “sponsored” mustaches for 30 days, just like one would do a charity run or marathon. Funds raised through Movember benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Lance Armstrong’s LIVESTRONG.

We’ve already seen some stellar efforts, but if you happen to lack the necessary Y chromosome for joining the movement directly — or you’re already sporting a ‘stache — you could still have some mustachey fun while benefiting a good cause. We love these Movember plugs and wooden Movember pendant by Denver-based indie eco-jewelery handcraft studio Omerica Organic.

This black-and-pink mustache wallet is a gem and the Mellow mustache tote made of all-vintage fabric from the same Etsy seller is just delightful.

Lastly, for some quasi-literary fun, The Little Book of Beards: …and a couple of mustaches! by illustrator and hardcore pogologist (that’s beard nerd for the uninitiated) O. S. Belgie is an absolute treat. And for those truly serious about the cultural heritage of the good ol’ ‘stache, Sweet ‘Stache: 50 Badass Mustaches and the Faces Who Sport Them offers an analysis of history’s best mustaches and the men (and women!) who wore them, from Gandhi to Frida Kahlo to Salvador Dali.

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RxArt: Healing Children Through Contemporary Art

What blood transfusions have to do with modern art and coloring between the lines.

The relationship between art and healing has been the subject of increasing interest for scholars and researchers. On an anecdotal, intuitive level, hardly any of us can deny the uplifting effect looking at a beautiful piece of art can have. Nonprofit RxArt aims to harness this effect in children’s healthcare facilities by placing contemporary art in patient, procedure and exam rooms in an effort to transform these sterile environments into comforting havens, inspiring healing and hope in kids, their families and the tireless medical staff that takes care of them.

RxArt works with some of today’s most exciting artists, including Will Cotton, Ryan McGinness and many more, who create bespoke artwork for each facility. From a CAT scanner by Jeff Koons to Jason Middlebrook‘s homage to nature in a bone marrow transplant unit to a clever light painting by Mary Temple in a center for blood disorders, RxArt can be found in over 18 hospitals across New York, Boston, Tennessee, Houston, New Orleans, San Francisco and Chicago. Though they’re currently focusing on children’s hospitals, they’re looking to eventually expand to outpatient facilities and VA hospitals.

“The artists we work with really speak to the audience, they really create art that’s site-specific and appropriate but also not so serene that it becomes boring.” ~ Nicki Sebastian, Director of Operations

Our favorite RxArt initiative, however, is the absolutely wonderful Between The Lines coloring book, currently in its second volume. (Volume 1 sold out completely in no time.) The book features over 50 original line drawings by some of today’s most celebrated contemporary artists, including Takashi Murakami, Ed Ruscha and Cynthia Rowley, plus a series of delightfully vibrant stickers designed by Nate Lowman and Mickalene Thomas.

The best part? 100% of proceeds from the book fund the RxArt hospital projects. So go ahead and grab a copy before Volume 2 sells out as well — it’s a rare opportunity not only to support the healing and well-being of tiny humans, but also to own something that will no doubt be a treasured collector’s item on day.

RxArt is also currently looking for a volunteer iPad developer, so if you happen to be a talented code-slinger, here’s your chance to use your powers for good.

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