DNA Tower

The DNA Tower is a glass sculpture featuring 1200 spheres in blue, yellow, and pink arranged in a spiral around a central axis. The work stands roughly 20 feet tall within an indoor atrium of a medical science building on campus.

The sculpture was created in 2003 by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly and marked two significant scientific milestones. It honored a century of the medical school's history and approximately 50 years since the discovery of DNA structure.

The work brings together scientific ideas and artistic creation, showing how genetic material is structured in three dimensions. People walking through this medical building encounter a playful interpretation of research in their daily surroundings.

The sculpture is housed indoors within an atrium, so it can be visited regardless of weather or time of day. It is easily accessible from multiple entrances of the building located within the campus.

Each glass sphere was hand-crafted with its own distinct texture and weight, making no two spheres identical. This deliberate variation creates subtle visual differences across the entire composition that reward closer observation.

Location: Indianapolis

Inception: 2003

Creator: Dale Chihuly

GPS coordinates: 39.77768,-86.17833

Latest update: December 12, 2025 08:00