Computer Virus Sculpture #2:

Wilco Virus (2009)

The sculpture is a representation of the HIV virus which leads to AIDS. This biological virus is one of several types of viruses that have an icosahedral shape.

The materials used in this sculpture include polycarbonate for the membrane, inside the membrane are the wires from CAT5 cable representing DNA strands. The 72 nodules that cover the surface are similar to the toroidal inductors found in PC power supplies. Dan Doherty points out that that these inductors look like the old fashion "core" memory that shows up in mainframes, see Magnetic Core Memory.

These specific toroidal inductors were kindly donated by Wilco Industrial.

A Mosh Pit of Yellow Toroidal Inductors
Building the Pieces	Nodules in Progress
Toroidal at Artomatic	Toroidal at Artomatic
Photo by Mackenzie McCluer	Photo by Mackenzie McCluer
Toroidal in the Light	Toroidal in the Dark