glitchtextiles:

The SARS-CoV-2 Collection: In Support of Victims of Domestic Violence

As we are all painfully aware, SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to COVID-19. While the resulting lock-downs and stay-at-home orders have saved countless lives, reports of domestic violence and abuse have seen a sharp increase. The endeavor of creating this collection is meant to raise awareness of the impacts of the pandemic as well as to support and provide hope to those who have been impacted by it.

As a textile company specializing in products for the great indoors, we believe that everyone has a right to truly be safe at home, no matter what the circumstances. We stand in solidarity with victims of domestic abuse and violence.

A percentage of sales will be donated to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. This is in response to rising domestic violence resulting from mandatory stay-at-home orders issued during the pandemic’s first wave in the United States and around the globe. Restrictions are easing, however experts warn of a second wave or multiple waves of infections, with the possibility of lock-downs recurring in the future. Additionally, the record rise in unemployment is keeping many more people at home and in potentially dangerous situations.

Designs for the collection are created by visualizing the SARS-CoV-2 virus genome using custom software written by Phillip David Stearns. Researchers racing to develop vaccines and treatments are targeting the sections of genetic code featured in this collection.

The nucleotides—A, T, G, C—that make up the virus’s genome are mapped to different palettes of 64 colors. Each line and pixel is colored to represent a triplet of nucleotides (i.e. AAG or GTC). Glitch processes are applied to basic linear and mosaic forms to warp, distort, and disrupt the information as a visual metaphor for molecular processes we all hope will yield treatments if not a cure.

You can view the entire collection here.

