Week 6 | Biotech + Art

I find the use of transgenics, mutilation, or selective breeding as an artistic technique a bit eery because they have such powerful forces on life. I believe that in theory, art has no limitations but, ultimately, there should be limits to human creativity, especially when it comes to biotechnology and art. Using life as a medium only seems right if it has an important purpose or helps in research, and even then, there should be restrictions.

Osamu Shimomura and Eduardo Kac, for example,  both studied the GFP gene but in very different ways. Shimomura was more interested in the scientific aspect and wanted to explore how this luminous green gene could be used to trace drug effectiveness and even be applied to anti cancer genes. Kac, on the other hand, used GFP in a more artistic/ symbolic manner and created Alba, the green fluorescent bunny. Kac wanted to raise questions about how society constructs the idea of difference. I find that Alba produces more controversy than actually spreading Kac's purpose, and in this way the work almost seems unnecessary.

I did not agree with Kac's work, but I found Kathy High's work to be the type that biotech art should be. She took some transgenic mice under her care and to exercise empathy with them. She believes that we have a real kinship with these mice, yet they are still "forgotten workers". This is a powerful message because these mice really are "disposable" in the laboratories.

My favorite artist this week would have to be Natalie Jeremijenko. She mixes art with technology for social and environmental issues. She also creates health solutions for environmental concerns that are brought to her, one in which she is working to build small toxin absorbing plant gardens throughout the city of New York in between asphalt.

References

5 Bioart pt1.mov. Dr. Victoria Vesna. Youtube. Uconlineprogram, 18 Sep. 2013. Web. 8 May. 2015.

5 Bioart pt3.mov. Dr. Victoria Vesna. Youtube. Uconlineprogram, 17 May. 2012. Web. 8 May. 2015.

 "GFP BUNNY." GFP BUNNY. Web. 8 May 2015.  

"Green Fluorescent Protein." Biotechnology. 14 Feb. 2014. Web. 8 May 2015.  

High, Kathy. "Rat Care." Embracing Animal. Web. 8 May 2015.  

"Seed Presents: Revolutionary Minds: Natalie Jeremijenko." Natalie Jeremijenko. Web. 8 May 2015.