Dust to DNA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
9/11 Dust to DNA: Mikey Flowers and Kevin Clarke
Come Home to Greenwich Street.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, florist and volunteer EMT Mikey Flowers grabbed his digital camera and ran the few blocks from his store toward the World Trade Center. He aided the injured after the first plane hit, and then fled for his life when the south tower collapsed, capturing as many moments of the stupefying chaotic scene as humanly achievable. These images are the foundation for Flowers and artist Kevin Clarke's collaborative project, 9/11 Dust to DNA, presented by Sara Tecchia Roma-New York in this one time venue.

For almost twenty years Clarke has produced unique portraits combining his digitally manipulated photographic images with his subjects' scientifically coded DNA sequences. Familiarizing himself with the individual, Clark spends weeks, sometimes months, looking for an object or scene in which he "recognizes" their character. Employing Flowers' 9/11 photographs, Clarke creates portraits of the survivors and of those involved in the rescue effort.

Smoke billowing from the ruins behind a group of firefighters is overlaid with the DNA sequence of 13-year-old survivor Ty Fujimura; the artist places an image of smoldering remains with firefighter Dennis Grady's genetic code; an image of the depleting south tower is covered with Flowers' DNA code. Other featured subjects include police officers and rescue volunteers. The resulting series of poignant works serve as Clarke's artistic tribute to these individuals.

A selection of Mikey Flowers' photographs also will be featured, with hundreds of his images projected on a gallery wall.

The exhibition will be open daily at 393 Greenwich Street from April 15 through May 1, 2005, coinciding with The Tribeca Film Festival and the Tribeca Family Festival. Mikey Flowers 9/11, Ashes to Ashes, Dust to DNA (2002), a publication by Kevin Clarke and Michael Collarone, will accompany the exhibition. Excerpts from Clarke's series previously have been shown at the Tribeca Temporary Gallery and the International Center of Photography.

The artists would like to recognize the support of Mr. Angelo Ponte, Color Edge Art and Forensic Analytical Inc.

For more information please contact Sara Tecchia at 917 657-0933.