Week 6: Biotechnology and Art

                                                                Estroworld by Mary Maggic

Biotechnology is a relatively recent new technology that arose in the 1970s and has since been privy to fast development. It can be defined as technology that makes use of biological systems, living organisms, or parts to develop and create different products (NTNU). 

There have been moral discussions surrounding whether it is right for scientists to make use f biotechnology. On one hand, biotechnology has allowed humanity to make huge advancements in human health (Future of Life Institute). On the other hand, the use of biotechnology is risky for its unintended consequences and its potential for weaponization, and it has been morally questioned for “playing God” (Future of Life Institute). 

                                                     Victimless Leather by Oron Catts and Ionat Zurr

What does it mean for artists trying to incorporate biotechnology? Artists have reflected on the discussion surrounding biotechnology and questioned its morality as well, proving life can be a valid expressive medium. The artwork known as Victimless Leather consisted of a thumb-sized jacket created from mouse tissue that lived inside a sterile glass ball (Miranda). The moral implications arose when curator Paola Antonelli was forced to “kill” the exhibit at the end of its showing, as the piece contained cells alive and multiplying (Miranda). 

Mind in the Machine: Psyche in the Age of Mechanical Production by Ani Liu

Artists’ incorporation of biotechnology enables viewers to consider the future and understand the ways that capitalism drives progress (Peterschmidt). Ani Liu's, Mind in the Machine translates a garment worker’s stress levels through an EEG Spectrogram to a finished knit pattern (Peterschmidt). Biotechnology in combination with art can allow us to reflect on the implications of the technologies we use, and sometimes blindly consume (Peterschmidt). 

Including biotechnology in art is important for coming to terms with our futures, and bringing the public into conversation with technological innovations with the power to shape our genetic futures (NC State University). They enable us to consider the effects of innovations and ideas in our own lives and consider the role of both artists and scientists in this process (NC State University). Biotechnology in art can be a valuable format for bringing awareness about possible biotechnological issues and discussions to the public.

                                                                                

Works Cited

Catts, Oron, and Ionat Zurr. Victimless Leather. 2004.

Future of Life Institute. “Benefits & Risks of Biotechnology.” Future of Life Institute, 14 Nov. 2018, https://futureoflife.org/background/benefits-risks-biotechnology/.

Liu, Ani. Mind In The Machine: Psyche In The Age Of Mechanical Production. 2017.

Maggic, Mary. Estroworld. 2021.

Miranda, Carolina A. “ARTnews.Com.” ARTnews.Com, 18 Mar. 2013, https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/biotechnology-as-art-form-2184/.

NC State University. “Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Center.” NC State University, https://research.ncsu.edu/ges/arts-work-in-biotech/. Accessed 5 May 2022.

NTNU. “What Is Biotechnology at the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science?” NTNU, https://www.ntnu.edu/ibt/about-us/what-is-biotechnology. Accessed 5 May 2022.

Peterschmidt, Daniel. “This Biotech Artist Wants Scientists To Think About Their Creations.” Science Friday, 28 May 2020, https://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/biotech-artist/.