Lifeweave Turns DNA Into Jacquard-Woven Textile Art
Lifeweave, an artist-driven company combining genomics with textile craftsmanship, has launched a unique service that transforms personal DNA into Jacquard-woven artworks. Genomic sequencing is carried out at Broad Clinical Labs, part of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, with all data securely stored on Terra.bio, a trusted biomedical data platform. Proprietary software then bridges art, science, and technology to produce one-of-a-kind textiles.
In a world dominated by digital images, disposable content, and mass production, Lifeweave offers a meaningful alternative—turning genetic codes into woven textiles that are tangible, personal, and enduring.
“I began exploring this concept during my residency at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard,” said Lifeweave founder Emilio Vavarella. “I wanted to represent the most intimate aspect of a person, and I saw DNA as an artistic medium. In 2020, with support from Italy’s Ministry of Culture, I transformed my own genome into a large tapestry, now part of the Modern Art Museum of Bologna’s collection. The next step was clear: allowing others to turn their DNA into artworks they could cherish or gift.”
Customers can place orders on lifeweave.app, choosing between two design styles—Mathesis (geometric) and Floral (botanical). Each order includes a saliva collection kit, with samples securely processed for sequencing. The genetic data is used exclusively for artwork creation under stringent safeguards that exceed legal standards.
Each client receives:
- A unique Jacquard tapestry woven from their DNA (82" × 62", 95% cotton, 5% polyester, 1.5 kg)
- A digitally traceable Certificate of Authenticity
- (Optional) Raw DNA data download
Every tapestry’s design derives from the customer’s genome, making each piece truly unique. A woven 32-character hash code, represented by colored squares, serves as the unique genetic signature embedded in the textile. Lifeweave also ensures ethical sourcing, using YESS and OEKO-TEX-certified yarns.
Art historian Alessandra Troncone, an early tester, remarked, “This sophisticated process culminates in a product with beauty and functionality—enveloping the very body that inspired its design and colors.”
Lifeweave highlights the intrinsic link between DNA and textiles: both integrate structure and information, rather than applying meaning externally like painting or photography. These works do not just represent information—they embody it, creating a rare homology between form and content.
The result is an intimate artwork that can be displayed, gifted, or simply lived with. Orders are now open at lifeweave.app.