Week 6 Blog: BioTech + Art

Week 6 Blog: BioTech + Art

To be completely honest, this week’s topic was a tough one for me. Coming from a very religious background and a conservative country—one which is not as progressive as America— all of this material was very new to me and provoked a series of mixed feelings. I had to go back and read several of the resources in order to fully understand the intentions of some of these artists who create BioArt. After reading several different accounts, I came to the conclusion that in this topic there is no right or wrong, and from my own experience, I believe is it the intention and purpose behind a project that defines whether it is ethical or not. 

Cellular and Deep Tissue Exploration 

First off, I was extremely impressed by Joe Davis’ intelligence and his creativity. His projects like the "Info Gene" and the "Audio Microscope" don't really reflect cruelty, but simply a feeling of just him being an artist exploring his desires and creativity. Nevertheless, some of the artists that came after him are the ones that I believe are using his knowledge for the wrong intentions. For example, I was a little unpleased with Eduardo Kac’s fluorescent bunny. Although I must admit his creation might bring discoveries, an advance in medicine, and might even solve a lot of our current health issues, I still think Alba has a life and her nature shouldn’t have been changed. Just like Professor Vesna mentioned in her lecture, I must agree with the scientists that claim this project as “needless and manipulative.” And although it is indeed interesting, what is the purpose of it? I think it is a huge mistake for humans to believe we have the responsibility and power to build new species and act as “the Creators.” 

ALBA: The Fluorescent Bunny 

Before I end this blog, I do want to emphasize that I am not saying that all biotechnology is wrong, but I do believe that the intention behind bioArt is what will define whether a project is ethical or not. For example, I was impressed by some of Symbiotica’s inventions like “Fish & Chips,” the robot arm that works by the activity of goldfish. If it wasn’t for inventions like this one, my cousin who suffered from Cancer last year would not have been able to walk like he does today. This is just one example of the reasons why we do need “Artists to work with biologists, neuroscientists, scientists, etc. in going into the cellular tissue level,” to develop machinery like prosthetics. But on the other hand, projects like Martha De Menezes’ modifications of butterflies’ wing patterns is more cruel than useful for our society. Mentalities like James Joyce’s who said that “To live, to err, to fall, to triumph and to recreate life out of life,” scare me and excite me as the same time… 

BioEngineering of Prosthetic Leg

Stelarc's "Extra Ear"

Sources: 

Kac, Eduardo. "GFP Bunny." GFP BUNNY. KAC Web, 2000. Web. 14 May 2017.

Kelty, Chris. “Meaning of Participation: Outlaw Biology.”

Magazine, Gary Wenk for Seed. "This is Your Brain on Food ." SEEDMagazine. Seed Media Group , 13 Sept. 2010. Web. 12 May 2017.

Root Wolpe, Paul. “It’s Time to Question Bioengineering.’” Ted Talk. Ted Talk, Nov 2010. Accessed 12 May 2017. https://www.ted.com/talks/paul_root_wolpe_it_s_time_to_question_bio_engineering

Stelarc. "Extra Ear." STELARC | EXTRA EAR. 2017 STELARC , n.d. Web. 12 May 2017.

Venter, Craig. “Watch Me Unveil ‘Synthetic Life.’” Ted Talk. Ted Talk, May 2010. Accessed 12 May 2017. www.ted.com/talks/craig_venter_unveils_synthetic_life/transcript