BioTech + Art

 Out of all the concepts in this course thus far, biotechnology seems the most distant from art to me personally. However, the fields are intersecting in ways beyond my thoughts. Biotechnology, which involves the use of living organisms and biological systems to develop new technologies, allows artists new tools to explore and create. Professor Vesna tells us in lecture that nature is a huge focus for artists so it is to no surprise to her that biotechnology of nature is something of interest to artists. For example, Joe Davis is an artist Vesna discusses who would wonder into laboratories unannounced in the 80's finding ways to link biotechnology with art. He studied how genes and genomes can be a new resource in art eventually studying how eccolli corresponds to sound (Vesna). Though fascinating to some, I find some of this art a bit offsetting because I think technological findings should lead to the answering of issues on health like disease and illnesses. 

                                              
                                                            Joe Davis' Polyptich Painting Instillation


    
Example of Bio-Art by Eduardo Kac

With that being said, as biotechnology and art continue to intersect, I think there is a need to establish ethical and safety standards for artists working with living organisms and semi-living systems. Though there are no standards that set specific bio-art boundaries, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have guidelines set in place for waste management, treatment of resources, and safe handling of organisms in the laboratories.  I hope to see these rules addressing ethical issues and safety issues as well as artists being educated on the systems of a laboratory to ensure safety. Lastly, I think there should be limits on the amount of resources that are used for art where the priority of biotechnology is to make products and find answers that will help save lives and create a better planet. 

How Biotechnology Can Save the Planet


Image URL:

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/666865

https://www.ekac.org/thescientist.2002.html

https://www.biospace.com/article/how-biotechnology-can-save-the-planet/

Image Citations: 

Coskun, Ahmet F. “Bioart: An introduction.” EurekAlert!, 23 November 2015, https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/666865

Cohen, Hal, et al. “Artists use scientific techniques to create new forms.” Eduardo Kac, 11 November 2002, https://www.ekac.org/thescientist.2002.html. Accessed 10 May 2023.

“How Biotechnology Can Save the Planet.” BioSpace, 16 April 2019, https://www.biospace.com/article/how-biotechnology-can-save-the-planet/

Other Citations:

“Alumni panel to discuss careers in biotechnology | Fredonia.edu.” SUNY Fredonia, 8 May 2023, https://www.fredonia.edu/news/articles/alumni-panel-discuss-careers-biotechnology.

“Biotechnology Examples in Everyday Life – StudiousGuy.” StudiousGuy, https://studiousguy.com/biotechnology-examples/.

“Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 6th Edition | CDC Laboratory Portal | CDC.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/labs/BMBL.html.

“Institutional Biosafety Committee.” National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, https://www.niehs.nih.gov/about/boards/ibc/index.cfm.

“Joe Davis: In Search of Paradoxes – Ars Electronica Blog.” Ars Electronica, 22 November 2021, https://ars.electronica.art/aeblog/en/2021/11/22/joe-davis-paradoxes/.

“Laboratory biosafety manual, 3rd edition.” World Health Organization (WHO), 11 August 2004, https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9241546506.

Vesna, Victoria. "Part 1." DESMA 9, 10 May 2022, UCLA, Bruinwalk, Unit 6.



Comments

  1. Kate JendrezakMay 14, 2023 at 9:46 PM

    Hi Kate, great job on your blog! It is pretty wild how two things we think would be so distant are actually more interconnected than we know. I completely agree with your opinion on ethics in this field, as they seem to be breached too often. There needs to be an established list of do's and dont's for artists in the future.

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  2. AshleyMay 14, 2023 at 10:47 PM

    Hi Kate, I totally agree with the fact that ethics is a big area that needs to be thought out more. As a psychology major, we learn about the ethics and rules regarding the use of animals in experiments and even the regulations for using humans in experiments and studies. Apart from the distinction of just living things, I think sentient beings specifically should have stronger regulations against their use in "art".

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  3. Michael CMay 14, 2023 at 10:55 PM

    Hello, I really enjoyed reading your response on biotech and how it relates to art. I also agree that the two are not necessarily as close as other areas. Once mutilation and other un human acts come into play, it does not seem to have an affect that is related to art. But bio tech that helps the world in a positive way can be seen as beautiful and as art. This is a slippery slope and if it is clear where the line is drawn, bio and art can live together.

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  4. IMAN_NDIAYE_DESMA9May 15, 2023 at 1:50 PM

    Hi Kate! Loved reading your blog post this week on biotech and its relation to art. I do agree that this is the most offputting conjunction of art and science we have covered this quarter so far. I will agree on the topic that there should be ethical limits on how far outside of boundaries art and biotechnology should intersect, especially in relation to disease and dna.

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