The Codes We Carry: Beads as DNA Data is a series of large-scale beaded sculptures that incorporate computer-produced genetic data patterns, or DNA/RNA microarrays, from diseases disproportionately affecting Indigenous communities, and transforms them into loom-woven glass bead burden straps as an act of data sovereignty. Combining these culturally relevant Indigenous art forms and beading techniques with DNA analysis raises awareness of the institutionalized health disparities that exist for Native people.

DNA microarray assays produce color-coded data in a pixel-like format. The data is replicated using 4mm cube-shaped glass beads precisely loom-woven, with each glass bead representing a data point. Scientific conventions used to organize the data correspond well with the dimensions of Alaskan Athabaskan baby belts or burden straps. This customary historical tool from Lord’s culture are an ancient technology, allowing a person to carry heavy items on their back, hands free. There are plain utilitarian straps, but highly embellished ones are created to carry infants. The baby belts represent interpersonal ties and the commitments in community. Transforming genetic data into a culturally significant form returns this DNA data to the community and makes it tangible and accessible to the marginalized populations it represents.

This project will produce six DNA burden belts, each approximately 5-7’ long, 8-24” tall. Each belt will replicate the pattern of particular diseases that most affect Indigenous populations, such as Diabetes, Smallpox, or Covid-19. After the belts are completed, they will be photographed at high resolution and printed at large scale, with the minuscule surface imperfections of the glass beads, effectively “un-pixelating” the data.