Week 6 | BioTech + Art

As Professor Vesna points out, the development of biotechnology has greatly expanded the variety of media available to artists. Examples include genetic code, flowers, cell cultures, and the human body itself. As an often controversial area of science in itself, biotechnology enables art particularly transgressive and thought-provoking, such as the Eduardo Kac’s glowing rabbit, Alba, pictured below.

Alba, Eduardo Kac’s rabbit that glowed (Dickey)

A transgenic glowing bunny, however, inspired only dim outrage when compared to works such as Rick Gibson’s 1984 Human Earrings, in which he used two rehydrated 10-week old fetuses as earrings on a female mannequin head. Intended as a critique of the treatment of humans by society, Gibson’s work resulted in his prosecution and a subsequent fine of $875. In a way, such a “punishment” may have only ironically reinforced Gibson’s original point. Regardless, this demonstrates the type of boundaries that biological art allows artists to push against.

Foetus Ear-rings by Rick Gibson (Gibson)

The German exposition Körperwelten (Body Worlds) originally drew intense criticism and public outcry for its display of plastinated human bodies. However, the scientific and educational value of allowing a window into the body itself should, as I see it, at least make possible this type of work. Today, Body Worlds still exists and has spawned numerous clones such as BODIES. The Exhibition and similar, and controversies today stem from concerns about the sources of the displayed bodies rather than the appropriateness of the event itself. In any case, such art works and exhibitions are only a tiny fraction of the vast new world of bio-art. Their controversy only strengthens the artistic impact of works made with these new, unexplored media.

BODIES by Körperwelten (Keksfabrik)

[1] Gibson, Rick. "Freeze-dried Sculptures." Freeze Dried Sculpltures.  2011. Web. 15 May 2017. <http://www.rickgibson.net/freezedry.html>.

[2] Keksfabrik, Lotte In der, and Timm. "Zwischen Faszination und Ekel." DerTimm.de. DerTimm.de, 14 June 2009. Web. 15 May 2017. <http://www.dertimm.de/2009/06/01/zwischen-faszination-und-ekel/>.

[3] Dickey, Christopher. "I Love My Glow Bunny." Wired. Conde Nast, 01 Apr. 2001. Web. 15 May 2017. <https://www.wired.com/2001/04/bunny/>.

[4] Patel, Sheel. "Biological Art: The Next Frontier in Art or an Ethical Disaster?" Augmenting Realities. Duke University, Web. 15 May 2017. <https://sites.duke.edu/lit80s_02_f2013_augrealities/biological-art-the-next-frontier-in-art-or-an-ethical-disaster/>.

[5] Dow, Katie. "Human Earrings." ReproSoc. University of Cambridge, 08 Mar. 2017. Web. 15 May 2017. <http://www.reprosoc.sociology.cam.ac.uk/blog/human-earrings>.

[6] Chan, Sewell. "'Bodies' Show Must Put Up Warnings." The New York Times. The New York Times, 29 May 2008. Web. 15 May 2017. <https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/29/bodies-exhibit-must-put-up-warnings/comment-page-2/?_r=0>.