Exhibition at The Euronano Forum 2005: Nanotechnology and the Health of the EU Citizen in 2020.

The desire to reveal the seemingly invisible led me to study and interpret some of the remarkable discoveries in the field of nanomedicine. The resultant work is serving as an alternative vehicle to communicate some of the life-enhancing research and successes improving diagnostics, imaging and drug delivery.

Collaboration with Dr Andreas Briel from Schering AG in Berlin led him to supply me with an image of a foot which revealed the complexities and network of blood vessels and capillaries: he creates contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to make blood vessels visible. These resembled fibres from which I created four 3D works, demonstrating my aesthetic response to the image. These pieces were shown at The EuroNanoForum2005 in Edinburgh, an event attracting over 1100 participants, with 92 experts from 30 countries speaking over the 5 days. It mixed industry with leading academics and was multi-disciplinary.

The exposure of and response to my research in this new forum generated several opportunities. They included an invite to show work on two further occasions at The Royal Society in London. These took place during nano conferences and included new work with Dr. Andrew Pelling from UCL. I studied and interpreted Cell Apoptosis (cell suicide) observing the breakdown of early cell death and how its induction might be used in treating tumours. I worked from a microscopic image of a healthy fibroblast cell which closely resembled a nonwoven textile to demonstrate the cell’s demise.

Frances Geesin

I am currently working with the Institute of Nanotechnology exploring nanomedical images and interpreting them into 2D and 3D work for exhibitions. In preparation, I am collaborating with Steven Harkin (LCF), creating accessories with industrial materials and metalising techniques. I am also working with Queen Mary UL 'The Intelligent fashion Group "Living Colour"'.

I am developing photonic systems onto textiles in collaboration with other specialists. This area of work has potential for many types of optical elements both passive and active. The emphasis of my research interest is in aesthetics. Fabric samples are presently being treated and the results will demonstrate the possibilities for, and viability of, future collaborations. A company has provided me with a range of industrial conductive shielding materials which I am currently using and assessing. The successful collaboration with Scilla Speet, Head of Jewellery at Central Saint Martins, continues as we enjoy each others contribution and involvement. I am working towards a project with a Cognitive Neural Scientist at Manchester University exploring fabric as a metaphor for representing pain.