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Digital DNA is a public art sculpture commissioned by the Palo Alto Public Arts Commission for Lytton Plaza in Downtown Palo Alto, California. It was created by Adriana Varella and Nilton Malz and installed in 2005.

Commission
In 2000, The seven member Palo Alto Public Arts Commission approved the contemporary artwork Digital DNA for the .2-acre plaza on the corner of University Avenue and Emerson Street. The Commission voted to purchase, with funding from the City of Palo Alto, the sculpture for $9,950 from its creators Adriana Varella and her husband Nilton Malz.

Design
Digital DNA is a seven foot tall (by five feet across) egg-shaped sculpture made of recycled computer silicon circuit boards applied to polystyrene bead foam with an epoxy fiberglass skin, and finished with UV resistant polyurethane clear automotive paint. Sewn into the surface are phrases relating to technology, suggested by non-artists, and written in a variety of languages. Varella explained that "from PhDs to prostitutes and homeless, everybody had a say."

The "egg" is meant to recognize Palo Alto as the birthplace of Silicon Valley. Linda Craighead, Palo Alto Arts Center Director, feels that the work represents "the power of technology to bring the world together." Varella said of the design, "I don't want to preach truths, just trigger ideas. It reminds me (of) the Faberge eggs given as a gift to the Russian imperial family."