Biotechnology and Art

Bioart is a new art form that uses biological sciences and technology and at times live tissue and live processes to produce artistic pieces. The original aim of art was to produce aesthetically harmonious and pleasing objects. In Bioart, artists work alongside scientists, often in laboratories, and some of the time on tissue engineering which is genetically engineered organisms or transgenic animals (fluorescent mice). Zaretsky, endeavored to bring to the public a sharp awareness of science behind the scenes while others like the French artist Orlan, placed herself at the center of her art by continuous modification of her own body to convey the 

message of 'trying to get out of the frame'. Orlan uses her art to highlight to her audience that issues of race, gender and culture are fluid and that 'good and bad' merge as opposed to traditional preaching of 'good or bad'. Many Bioart pieces cannot be easily shown in art Galleries since they are confronting and many times require special licenses such as live tissue disposal after the event. The public often gets shocked by face to face encounters of such art work, animal rights campaigners see it as abusive and some scientists as interesting but needless. It does however pose critical questions regarding manipulation of life and death and makes the wider public directly aware with issues science keeps behind the scenes. So Bioart raises a wide range of moral and ethical questions.



One of the main contributions of Bioart is to expose such realities, provoke, critique and question major scientific initiatives as well as of course highlight their potential. When bio artists join a scientific laboratory they are subject to the same rules applied to the scientists of that lab. Should we expect more legislative procedures or documentation from the artists? It is possible that this is not 



necessary as long as the already existing legislation is tight. Areas that need to maintain strict boundaries are moral considerations regarding humans and animals, production processes, consequences and ethical dilemmas considering life. Furthermore, there is a question about biotechnology and it's link to political power. In the words of the French philosopher Foucault “the emergence of health becomes one of the essential objectives of political power”. When implemented correctly, Bioart can be a most effective way to get important messages across and a reminder to the wider public of how life is modelled, valued or disposed of. In the end, the viewer is left to make up their own mind... 




References

Vincent, Alice E. "Bioart: Science, Art Or Just Playing God?" The Huffington Post UK. AOL                (UK) Limited, 14 Apr. 2012. Web. 06 May 2016.   
             <http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/02/21/bioart-science-art-playing-                                  god_n_1290700.html>.   


Lecture Part 1,
"5 Bioart Pt1 1280x720." YouTube. N.p., 18 Sept. 2013. Web. 14 May 2017.

Lecture Part 2
"5 BioArt Pt2." YouTube. N.p., 17 May 2012. Web. 14 May 2017.


Science Gallery. "The Future of the Body with Performance Artist ORLAN." YouTube. YouTube, 01 July 2014. Web. 14 May 2017.

"What Ethics for Bioart?" National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 14 May 2017.

"ORLAN - Harlequin Coat." FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology). Sigma, 

             2007. Web. 06 May 2016. <http://www.fact.co.uk/projects/sk-interfaces/orlan-                        harlequin-coat.aspx>.

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