Week 6 Bio Art + Art

Throughout the lectures and materials from this week's topic on biotechnology and art, I gained a better understand of how artists are able to create new pieces of art in laboratories. Art is constantly expanding into different forms as our imaginations grow. In the medical field, artists work hand in hand with biologists, nanotechnologists, geneticists, and neuroscientists to develop images of cellular tissue.  

In "Defining Life: Artists Challenge Conventional Classification," Ellen K. Levy explains how artists are challenging accepted classifications of life (Levy 2). Through new advancements in technology and art, in addition to new scientific developments, Levy argues how artistic perspectives and the insight of science help us gain a better understanding of the nature of life, As our realities change, we have to change as well, even though BioArt is a very controversial topic. Regardless, it provides us an opportunity to view evolution taking place right in front of our eyes (Evolution on a Plate). When it comes to the ethical concerns of artists tinkering with the genetic structures of natural systems (Vesna 1:34), we need to place our focus on the advancements that we have made in this field. 

Joe Davis, was specifically interested in researching how genes and genomes can be a new palette for artists, so he worked with molecular biologists to create different types of artwork (Vesna 2:14). One of his most influential pieces was names the Microvenus which is one of the first pieces of art that used molecular biology in it. This piece was very influential and one of the most highly reproduced graphics to date. Davis believed that as more tools and new knowledge becomes available to the world of science and technology, they also become available to art (Stalin 1:00), which is why they should be combines and put together in new ways. 

Resources 

“Evolution on a Plate.” Marta de Menezes, 2021, martademenezes.com/art/evolution/evolution-on-a-plate/. 

“Joe Davis .” Alchetron, 9 Aug. 2022, https://alchetron.com/cdn/joe-davis-artist-7c7c0778-e9e2-45b6-a38d-972f1643a47-resize-750.jpeg. Accessed 11 May 2023. 

Lasagni , Dario. “Symbionts: Contemporary Artists and the Biosphere, a Major Exhibition Representing a New Generation of Practitioners within BioArt at MIT List Visual Arts Center.” Stirworld , https://www.stirworld.com/images/article_gallery/symbionts-contemporary-artists-and-the-biosphere-a-group-exhibition-representing-a-new-generation-of-practitioners-within-bioart-at-mit-list-visual-arts-center-symbionts-contemporary-artists-and-230127033558.jpg. Accessed 11 May 2023. 

Levy, Ellen K. “Defining Life:” Context Providers, 2014, pp. 275–298, https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv36xvqqx.16. 

Marta DeMenezes, 2021, https://martademenezes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/tn_large_1520530240-p1160063.jpg. Accessed 11 May 2023. 

Stalin, Sam. “Scientist? Artist. Pirate! Who Is Joe Davis?” YouTube, 10 Sept. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GkZt00Qics. 

Vesna, Victoria. “5 Bioart Pt1 1280x720.” YouTube, 18 Sept. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg. 

Vesna, Victoria. “5 Bioart PT2.” YouTube, 17 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdSt-Hjyi2I&list=PL9DBF43664EAC8BC7.