Bio-Art is one of the most controversial areas that draws the attention to ethical, aesthetic, and social issues. It serves not only as an artistic function, but as scientific. How scientists use animals for research is controversial without a doubt, it questions the ethics behind it all. I personally do not have an opinion on this matter, but I found it very intriguing on the different ways in which certain artists used biotechnology as a way of expressing art.
 |
| The Joe Davis |
 |
| Joe Davis Experiment |
Joe Davis is considered the pioneer of biotechnology where he came up with the most absurd ideas that posed critical questions about what life is and what it means she we manipulate life. For instance, he worked with other scientists to teach him about genomes, so he could create an infinite gene. By taking genomes and inserting them into living things, he used his audio microscope to created artistic pieces and how sound waves effects e-coli. What Joe Davis did was that he created living art. Artists are now realizing the potential effect that genomics have and how if used properly can be seen as art.
Eduardo Kac is another artist that uses genomes to express art through the use of rabbits. The GFP Bunny is Davis’ creation of a green fluorescent rabbit. Davis, along with other scientists prior to him, plucked a fluorescent protein from a jelly fish,-identified as Aequorea Victoria- modified the gene and made the properties twice as powerful, and then injected it into a rabbit cell. This injection of a fluorescent gene traveled all throughout the cells of the rabbit and it began to glow.  |
| Aequorea Victor |
This was monumental in biotechnology. Since the discovery of this fluorescent protein in Aeuqorea Victoria jellyfish, it has become one of the most important tools used in contemporary science. Due to Davis’ experiment with “Alba,” researchers have now developed ways to watch processes that were previously invisible, such as the development of nerve cells in the brain or how cancer cells spread. The use of biotechnology leads researchers to understand that genetic variations can work to their advantage when it comes to creating art.
The use of biotechnology in tissue culture, animals, and in fields that involves shock realm is important for our culture, especially in technology, because it explores new ways in which we can express our body as an art but through the use of technology.
Joe Davis <http://www.viewingspace.com/genetics_culture/pages_genetics_culture/gc_w03/davis_j_webarchive/davis_profile_sciam/0401davisecoli.gif>
Bunny
<http://www.conncoll.edu/ccacad/zimmer/GFP-ww/images/alba2.jpg>
Aequorea Victoria <https://oceanuts.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/download-moon-jellyfish-hd-wallpaper.jpg>
GFP Bunny <http://www.ekac.org/gfpbunny.html>
I too thought Joe Davis's work was very interesting and played a major role in the beginning of BioArt. I thought his audio microscope was such an interesting way to pair sounds with organisms. Also the use of fluorescent proteins as allowed for scientist to look at previously "invisible" objects.
ReplyDelete-Tucker
I understand why the fluorescent bunny can be seen as a controversial art piece. In my opinion I think testing the fluorescent proteins on animals for medical research is perfectly fine, especially since it has helped medical professionals identify nerves and tumor cells. On the other hand, I don't think turning a bunny fluorescent green is necessary or okay. There is no end game to manipulating the genetics of the bunny. It is just messing with nature for fun, which I don't think is right.
ReplyDelete