BioTech
and Art 
In the world of
biotechnology, genetic mutation, recombinance and transgenics have all been
used to create something helpful and functional, aesthetically pleasing, or
some combination of the two. While experiments such as Kac’s GFP Bunny led to
objections from animal rights activists, there are many biotechnological
experiments that have the opposite effect and seem to reflect positively on the
progression of humankind.
The image to the left is of a semi-living “victimless leather”
jacket made up of combined mouse and human bone cells. The same scientists
experimenting with living leather are also working on a project in which they
use human skin cells to grow a nose and lips for a “living mask”.
While images and
concepts within bioart can be disturbing, the possibilities for animal
protection in the leather industry, and medical potential for human prosthetics
are boundless within these two experiments alone.
There is a blurry line, however, as to what is functional or
appropriate in the art world, especially pertaining to life as an expressive
medium. This is emphasized by the satirical company, BiteLabs, which markets
artisanal salami made from celebrity tissue samples. The site seems to suggest
that both producers and consumers will go to great lengths to obtain the most
beautiful or desirable product, even if the process is inhumane. BiteLabs makes
a claim that I have to agree with, that there must be a limit to the lengths
humans go for artistic expression and experimentation.
"BiteLabs." BiteLabs.
N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2016.
"Bitelabs.org - Real
or Satire?" Real or Satire. N.p., 27 Feb. 2014. Web. 09 May 2016.
Sandhana, Lakshmi.
"Jacket Grows From Living Tissue." Wired.com. Conde Nast
Digital, 12 Oct. 2004. Web. 09 May 2016.
"Victimless Leather-
A Prototype of Stitch-less Jacket Grown in a Technoscientific
"Body"" TC&A. TC&A, n.d. Web. 7 May 2016.
Walden, Stephanie.
"BioArt: Is It Art? Is It Science? Is It the Future?" Mashable.
N.p., 29 Oct. 2013. Web. 09 May 2016.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHey Paul, great post! I agree with your point on how there is often no clear line between what is appropriate, especially when it comes to art. I think your example of BiteLabs is a great illustration of how extreme it can get. In my opinion, there is really a need for stringent standards on artistic experimentation, especially when you consider the fact that there might be accidental but irreparable damage brought about by it.
ReplyDelete