Biotechnology can be used not just for the extension of life
but also for human expression. I realized early on that many of the instruments
in biotechnology could be used for artistic purposes. I also can't deny many of
the scientific experiments I have conducted in the past can be prime examples
of artistic designs in and of itself.
Our very Art Sci center exploring the "Third Culture"
<http://artsci.ucla.edu/>
In fact, there is a Art-Sci center
dedicated to creating art through biotechnology within the CNSI at UCLA already!
Artwork grown on petridishes containing bacteria and fungi.
Please check out even more beautiful designs in the website below.
<https://andreacasalotti.wordpress.com/2012/07/29/petri-dish-art/>
From this week's reading, I particularly enjoyed Ellen K. Levy's discussion on microbiology. As a microbiology sub-major, I have come across many rudimentary experiments on petri-dishes which can easily becomes a literal work of art. By standard procedures of various fluorescent protein engineering, art can literally be created from varying how the fungi or bacteria is spread onto the petri dish. Like what professor Vesna said this week, "artists are starting to go into the lab and start working with live cells" (Vesna, Biotech intro NEW 0:43).
Performance artist Stelarc and his implanted ear in his arm posing.
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/05/stelarc-ear.jpg
Performance artist Stelarc and his implanted ear in his arm. Goal to functionalize the actual ear so communication can happen. This is a prime example of expressionistic art influenced by biotechnology.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyhNGZvNMVY
More extreme forms of artistic expression was captured by performance artist Stelarc in his piece Extra Ear. To delineate, biotechnology creates the fundamental cellular fabric that the ear is created upon while the artistic explanation and motivation determined the placement. However, for Stelarc, the artistic mission isn't complete just yet. He plans to make the organ functional so that communication can actually be possible. This process from my understanding is severely limited by the biomedical science surrounding the purpose of the art. Thus, until further developments in science takes place, the art will be limited to only a physical expression rather than a functional one as well.
On a similar note, Ellen K. Levy's indirectly discusses how the development of biotechnology art is mainly limited by the development of science and engineering.
| Biotechnology influenced artwork from the Sci-fi TV series Fringe Hope you will enjoy the influence art has on my favorite Sci-fi series <http://www.tv.com/shows/fringe/> |
Biotechnology influenced art is literally everywhere from billboards commercializing sci-fi tv shows and movies we watch to those displayed in museums. Personally, my favorite TV show of all time utilizes biotechnology based artwork for every cutscene as shown above. As advancements continue in the scientific field biotechnology, so will the artwork.
References:
"Art | Sci Center + Lab | UCLA Art | Sci Center + Lab." Art | Sci Center + Lab | UCLA Art | Sci Center + Lab. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://artsci.ucla.edu/>
Casalotti, Andrea. "Petri Dish Art." Florilegium. N.p., 29 July 2012. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <https://andreacasalotti.wordpress.com/2012/07/29/petri-dish-art/>
"Heard The One About The Artist Who Grew A Third Ear?" YouTube. Sky News, n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyhNGZvNMVY>
Levy, Ellen K. "Defining Life: Artists Challenge Conventional Classifications" <http://nanobioart_artscicenter.com/hybrid/sites/default/files/Ellen_Levy_BioArt.pdf>
Lund K, Manzo AJ, Dabby N, Michelotti N, Johnson-Buck A, Nangreave J, Taylor S, Pei R, Stojanovic MN, Walter NG, Winfree E, Yan H. Molecular robots guided by prescriptive landscapes. Nature. 2010 May 13;465(7295):206-10. doi: 10.1038/nature09012.
"UCLA Art|Sci Center + Lab - Promo." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2QXL5u85AQ>.
Once again, I really enjoyed your blog post! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat really caught my attention was the bit about Stelarc with his implanted ear in his arm. You added that he is trying to make the ear functional to allow communication, which is extremely fascinating! I also liked it when you referenced sci-fi tv shows displaying biotech art. As a fan of Fringe, I honestly didn't notice the biotech art on the cover until you pointed it out! I would love to hear more about your scientific experiments which can be examples of Biotech Art!