The advances in genetics and biology, coupled with the advances technology and engineering have helped to create a new field where artists are able explore various biological processes to develop unique works of art. Joe Davis was a key figure in the development of bio art as a discipline, as he was the first person to use biological organisms as a template for his art in various projects, such as the audio microscope, and the Microvenus. However, in their pursuit of the future of bio art as a discipline, many of these artists, such as Davis, have generated controversy through their manipulation of biological process to create art, as many people wonder about the ethical implications of using biological organisms as a template to create works of art, which is an aspect of the unit I found very interesting. Throughout the unit, Professor Vesna presented various artworks that incorporate biological components, and all of them generated controversy and criticism in some sort of way, which was an interesting trend I was able to notice. This controversial nature of bio art can be seen in Eduardo Kac’s work, Alba. In this work, Kac, with the help of French geneticists, was able to implant a gene that is responsible for fluorescence in the jellyfish species, Aquorea Victoria, into a newly fertilized rabbit egg cell to create a fluorescent, albino rabbit. Many people have spoken against this work of art, as they state the artwork is unethical because it tampers with nature and the natural genetic code of the rabbit.
Although the field of bio art is associated with controversy, there are also aspects of the field that can be very beneficial to humans and the advancement of medicine. Kathy High expresses how rats can be beneficial in the discovery of new medicines to help cure many human diseases because of striking similarities between the human and rat genomes. Kathy High, who suffers from Crohn’s disease, also personally uses rats to help her, as she buys transgenic rats in an attempt to nurse them to full health using alternative methods. While she is nursing these rats, she notices how they handle stress and what they do to relax, which directly relates to her disease, as stress is one of the triggers to her condition.
Kathy High’s experiences with bio art show that although the field contains many controversies, it has a massive potential to help with various problems that affect humans.
Sources:
Reder, Kimo. “Joe Davis' 'Microvenus' as Molecular Muse.” Jacket 2, 24 Sept. 2016, jacket2.org/commentary/joe-davis-microvenus-molecular-muse.
Sources:
Reder, Kimo. “Joe Davis' 'Microvenus' as Molecular Muse.” Jacket 2, 24 Sept. 2016, jacket2.org/commentary/joe-davis-microvenus-molecular-muse.
Vesna, Victoria. “5 Bioart pt1 1280x720.” YouTube, YouTube, 18 Sept. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg.
Vesna, Victoria. “5 BioArt pt3.” YouTube, YouTube, 17 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL9DBF43664EAC8BC7&v=3EpD3np1S2g.
Vesna, Victoria. “5 BioArt pt4.” YouTube, YouTube, 17 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL9DBF43664EAC8BC7&v=2qSc72u9KhI.
Young, Emma. “Mutant Bunny.” New Scientist, 22 Sept. 2000, www.newscientist.com/article/dn16-mutant-bunny/.
What's poppin' Mathew. This is a very interesting post. I thought that your explanations on both Joe Davis and Eduardo Kac's work were very detailed, specifically noting the Alba. I also liked how you pinpointed how bio art stresses complications but also brings about solution's to today's health problems, such as using the rat's anatomy. I can tell you went above and beyond. Good job.
ReplyDeleteWhat's poppin' Mathew. I really enjoyed and agreed with your commentary on how in many cases Bio art can be unethical. I believe that with proper regulations and guidelines, artists and scientists should be allowed to work on their craft within the moral consensus of each given society.
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