DNA Bench

The DNA Bench provides a place to meditate on the beauty of the planet, its relationship to the universe, and on the web of complex connections that link different forms of life. Amazing images reminding us of the incredible diversity of life are cut into the granite petals that make up the bench's outer rim.

If you pause for a moment's rest, you may notice that the form of the bench echoes the double helix of DNA, the blueprint of life. You also may be gently sprayed by fog rising from inside the bench. The warm glow of the lighted fog evokes the first stirrings of life in the primordial stew.

Closeup of DNA Bench carving

Three different types of granite make up the DNA Bench. The dark "wings" are Galaxy Black granite from Africa. The hexagons are red multicolor granite and the slivers and the skirting are Kashmir granite, both from India. To craft the complex shape, workers cut each piece by hand to fit a precise template. The strong contrast between the polished Galaxy Black surface and the lighter gray underneath clearly shows the sandblasted images.