'Maggies' comes to Liverpool.

As I have been researching into interiors and structure design for my honours project, I came across 'Maggies'.

“Our Centres are here for anyone with any type of cancer and their families and friends, offering the practical, emotional and social support that people with cancer need”

Laura Lee, Maggie's Chief Executive

https://www.maggiescentres.org

Maggies is a custom built centre that provides support to cancer patients and their families. I am was intrigued by this and decided to divulge into this charity further.

The further I began to dig the more information unfolded, I was most struck with the narrate behind the building of 'Maggies-Highlands'

The design of the building is based upon the division (mitosis) of cells, within a heathy environment. Just before the cells divide they form a vesta shape (similar to an oval) and this has inspired the shape of the building. This shape is continued right throughout the building and interiors.

http://confessionsofadesigngeek.com/maggies-highlands/#comment-136659

There area  variety of 'Maggies' around the country, and at the moment there is a 'Maggie' being built in Liverpool.

A 11m-long, glass-panelled called "The London Dresser was commissioned by the Mayor of London as part of the Wonder  Installations series for the 2012 Games. 

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/pavilion-commissioned-london-olympics-moved-6790573

Interim building in process of being built.

To the laboratory!

Honours Project

So my honours project will centre on cancer cells, their shape, form, texture and colour combination. I will explore this theme and try and create something beautiful from such a negative subject. 
Suggestions for a title so far are: 


 • Understanding the enemy


 • Cell behavior


• inside out


As I have decided to use cancer cells within this project, I wanted another source of primary research and though to myself how on earth can I get some other then the internet or medical journals?


 so a spot of searching on the Internet and I found the cancer research website and contact details to the site in Liverpool. I fired off a couple of emails to the contacts upon the website and Friday morning, up popped a reply!


I had explained in my email to the contacts who I was, what I was studying and what my idea was, Hannah Leaton, who is Research Engagement Manager at Cancer Research UK - Manchester emailed back as both herself and her colleague James Dunphy were both intrigued by my idea.

 I have since secured a visit to the Cancer Research UK Lab in Manchester on 20th March to visit the lab and a chance to interview Steve Bagley, who is Head of Advanced Imaging. I am excitied by this visit as I feel it will help me understand how cells react more.

Attached is a link to Cancer research Uk - Science snaps. This is a blog of cancer cells images that scientists have taken. 

http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/series/science-snaps/

Provided by Professor Inke Näthke at the University of Dundee, the images reveal a different mysterious depth and show the intricate structure of the cells that line the intestine.

 On my travels I also visited the gallery in the Met Quarter, this is were I saw an artist who has inspired me also with this project. Phillipe Airde's yacht paint painting I feel look very similar to the images of the cells. He is often inspired by the body and also the galaxy. 

Melotonin 2007 (detail)- Phillipe Aird

http://www.philippeaird.com/thebody.htm

 I spoke with the gallery's owner Jennifer, who took my details and offered any further help that I may need and even maybe an interview with him. He has inspired me to even try my own style of painting in this way! Watch this space!