Taken To Task - New York's Museum Of Natural History's Display Of DNA Code
David McCornack’s average workday is filled with creative challenges that would cause lesser moldmakers or casters to simply throw up their hands and walk away. David is a creative contributor to the Museum Of Natural History’s (NYC) fabrication shop and, as such, considers such challenges part of the job. He specializes in creating museum-quality marine inverterbrates, but is called on to deliver a variety of casting creations to the exhibition floor. This poses not only design challenges, but material challenges as well. “The Genome” exhibition called for McCornack to design, mold and cast a floor-to-ceiling DNA chain (14 ft. - 4.25m) that met museum standards for eye-catching appeal and safety. The finished casting had to withstand impact, wear & tear and other variables associated with being exposed to thousands of visitors daily. To make the casting, McCornack chose TASK® 9 liquid plastic for a few reasons. First, the casting (ranging in thickness from 3/8” to1”) had to be structurally strong enough to support its suspended weight. Second, TASK® 9 not only reproduces exact detail, but allows exact color matching. TASK® 9 is a neutral clear amber and readily accepts color tints and fillers. McCornack got exactly the look he wanted with no surprises, and Genome opened on time to the delight of thousands of museum patrons. TASK® liquid plastics are Smooth-On’s performance line of resins and feature superior physical properties, higher heat resistance, etc. (vs. the Smooth-Cast line of general purpose casting resins).
Host To Thousands . . .
A giant banner welcomes visitors to
the museum’s 'Genome' exhibit.
Mr. McCornack’s DNA chain cast in 'people-tough' TASK® 9 Resin was an exhibition success.
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