Week 6 - BioTecth + Art

This week's lecture on Bio-tech and art was definitely the most interesting topic to me thus far in this class. In the lecture, Professor Vesna stated that BioArt is a massive source of debate. One of the main reasons that Bioart often raises ethical questions and concerns is that it can involve manipulating and exploiting living organisms for artistic purposes. However, I believe that not all Bioteck Art exploits living organisms for artistic purposes but that some projects are informative and beneficial for both art and science. 

www.artnews.com/art-news/news/biotechnology-as-art-form-2184/


For example, I love what Kathy High does in her "Embracing Animal Project." For her project, Kathy bought three rats that had been used in previous parasitical studies. These rats had been "microinjected" with human DNA, which made them prone to experiencing issues such as "reactive arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease," etc. Kathy then treated them "holistically," attempting to understand and treat them as if they were humans. Kathy then created an exhibit to "introduce them" and her research to the public. 

http://www.embracinganimal.com/installation-views.html

Although her project did face criticism as she displayed live animals as an art piece to the public, I believe that Kathy's project was not unethical as she not only attempted to save these rats but sought to challenge the way that humans and animals interact, encouraging viewers to reflect on the complex and turbulent relationship between the two. 

http://www.embracinganimal.com/installation-views.html

Works Cited

Fraaije, Aafke, et al. “Art for Public Engagement on Emerging and Controversial Technologies: A Literature Review.” Public Understanding of Science, vol. 31, no. 6, 2022, pp. 694–710, https://doi.org/10.1177/09636625221093213. 

High, Kathy. “Embracing Animal.” Embracinganimal.Com, www.embracinganimal.com/. Accessed 11 May 2023. 

High, Kathy. “Installation Views of Embracing Animal at Mass Moca.” Embracing Animal :: Installation Views at MASS MoCA, www.embracinganimal.com/installation-views.html. Accessed 11 May 2023. 

High, Kathy. “The Politics of Empathy.” Embracing Animal :: Rat Love Manifesto, www.embracinganimal.com/ratlove.html. Accessed 11 May 2023. 

Miranda, Carolina A. “Weird Science: Biotechnology as Art Form.” ARTnews.Com, 18 Nov. 2019, www.artnews.com/art-news/news/biotechnology-as-art-form-2184/. 

Vesna, Victoria. “Biotechnology and Art Intro” Lecture. CoLE DESMA 9. May 8. 

2023. Web.

Vesna, Victoria. “Biotechnology and Art part 3” Lecture. CoLE DESMA 9. May 8. 

2023. Web.

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