Angel of the West

Julian Voss-Andreae’s “Angel of the West” was inspired by the striking similarity of the human antibody molecule (the key molecule in our immune system) in proportion and function as well: It has ‘arms’ that grab on to viruses etc. with hand-like region that are highly variable and fit perfectly for each new intruder.

“My idea was to use the Leonardo man (‘Vitruvian Man’, 1490) in the circle, replace the man with the molecule (in my mitered cut technique) and use Leonardo’s composition, extrapolated into 3d. To subtly strengthen that connection I made ‘rays’ under ‘wings’ that converge visually where the man’s head would be.”