Week 6: BioTech + Art


This week’s topic broke my perceptions of what art entailed. I never knew about the BioArt field before even though I spend many of my days learning and working with biology as a bioengineer. It was eye opening to see how artists expand their palettes and forms of medium as scientists further their knowledge in the field of microbiology and genetics. Joe Davis’ project Audio Microscope reflects this new palette by illustrating how art can encompass cellular level mechanisms. His work is very impactful as it not only creates a new art form that incorporates microbiology, but also completely shifts the focus of many researchers and scientists. While many scientists are concerned with how modifying, manipulating, or transforming these cells can translate to scientific discovery, Davis’ work brings the focus back to the cells and allows viewers to understand the power of the cells themselves.

Audio Microscope by Joe Davis
(UCLA Design | Media Arts 98T <http://geneticsandculture.com/genetics_culture/pages_genetics_culture/gc_w03/davis_audio_scope.htm>)

Kathy High’s works are also significant as they similarly impact society’s views of science. Her project Embracing Animal and Rat Laughter strongly resonates with me as I am currently a research assistant in a tissue engineering lab here at UCLA where I work with mice on a daily basis. Specifically, we use mice as a stroke model and test different hydrogel transplantations to see improvements in blood vessel growth in the stroke area.

Example mice stroke model used in my research lab
(Karolinska Institutet <http://ki.se/en/news/astrocytes-repair-the-brain-after-stroke>)

As I have done my research, I have majorly focused on the bigger picture in how these mice models can ultimately give us a better understanding of stroke and stroke treatments. However, these mice, specifically bred to be research animals, undergo a lot of struggle throughout this process—confined in cages and subject to strokes. Her projects really opened my eyes to this struggle and the importance of understanding what research animals go through in the name of science. As Dr. Vesna points out, her work brings a sense of empathy to the scientific community as High uses her own struggle to identify with the rats and create kinship.

Kathy High with research rats in her installation Embracing Animals
(<http://kathyhigh.com/video-embracing-animal.html>)

Overall, Davis and High’s installations show how art is essential and should be valued in its interpretation of scientific technologies and research, bringing up complex ethical implications. Though evaluating the restrictions for use for artists and scientists alike remains unclear, artistic practice of biotechnology has definitely furthered dialogue among the public on scientific advancements.

References:

 "Audio Microscope." Design | Media Arts 98T Genetics and Culture. UCLA, n.d. Web. 15 May 2017. <http://geneticsandculture.com/genetics_culture/pages_genetics_culture/gc_w03/davis_audio_scope.htm>.

"Kathy High." SymbioticA. The University of Western Australia, 5 Aug. 2011. Web. 15 May 2017. <http://www.symbiotica.uwa.edu.au/residents/high>.

Levy, Ellen. “Defining Life: Artists Challenge Conventional Classifications.”Context Providers: Conditions of Meaning in Media Arts. Eds. Margot Lovejoy, Christiane Paul, and Victoria Vesna. University of Chicago Press: 2011.
UC Online Program. “5 BioArt pt1 1280 x 720.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 18 September 2013. Web. 14 May 2017.

UC Online Program. “5 BioArt pt3.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 17 May 2012. Web. 14 May 2017.



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