Week 6 Blog


BioTech & Art

The intersection of BioTech and art, resulting in BioArt, is an art medium that results in much controversy within the scientific and art worlds, as well as in the eye of the public. It raises the question of what the limits to human creativity and art should be, and what the ethical implications are of using biological technology to create life forms, hybrids, experimenting on life, to make a form of art. 

Stelarc's Third Ear

One of the projects that interested me the most was Orlan’s Harlequin Coat. I thought it was fascinating how she wanted to observe the implications and possibilities of different skin types and colors in petri dishes, all coming together in an abstract art form. The concepts of hybridization and body modification, like Stelarc’s Third Ear, make me think of the purpose of this kind of biological art. Body implants, especially something as unnecessary as a third ear, make me wonder if some artists take the abilities of biotech too far. However, for the artists that use biological technology to help research and make discoveries in scientific fields, like Joe Davis originated, I believe that the intersection of the two is important and useful.

Orlan's Harlequin Coat

Ultimately, I think that art can be created out of almost anything. While some artists may use it to create projects that may seem like they have relatively no meaning or purpose, experimenting with art can be helpful in scientific research, although the ethics may grow cloudy at times. It is important for artists to realize that although technology can make anything seemingly possible, experimenting too much with life, especially the human body, and taking advantage of animals may draw criticism from the public, and may ultimately separate artists from the scientific community if they are not careful.


GFP Rat
Sources/Links:

“EAR ON ARM.” STELARC, stelarc.org/?catID=20242.

Li, Tianda, et al. “Efficient Production of Fluorescent Transgenic Rats Using the PiggyBac Transposon.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, 14 Sept. 2016, www.nature.com/articles/srep33225.

Trailers, Movieclips Classic. “Jurassic Park Official Trailer #1 - Steven Spielberg Movie (1993) HD.” YouTube, YouTube, 12 Dec. 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWBKEmWWL38.

Vesna, Victoria. “5 bioart pt1 1280x720” Cole UC online. Youtube, 18 Sept 2013. Web. 11 May 2019. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg

Vesna, Victoria. “5 BioArt pt4” Cole UC online. Youtube, 17 May 2012. Web. 11 May 2019. 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL9DBF43664EAC8BC7&time_continue=2&v=2qSc72u9KhI



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