WEEK 6: Biotech + Art

 

                                                                                                      (Hunter)



    The pro of Bioart is that it unlocks uncharted territory of potential for both scientific and artistic discoveries. The con is that ethics is a major question. My blog will explore these topics in more detail.  


     Firstly, bioart opens up the possibility for a new realm of art. Ani Liu, for example, has “engineered a device that enables the wearer to control the direction of swimming sperm with their mind” and “used organic chemistry to concoct perfumes that smell like people emotionally close to her” (Peterschmidt). Art to me often refers to visual or audio works. However, we see that with bioart you have the ability to create wonderful creations that have a motion and smell element to them too.  



(Peterschmidt ) 


       Additionally, bioart could lead to the discovery of new scientific possibilities. Professor Vesna speaks about how the effect of sound on E Coli was examined by an artist. Today, we see the use of music as a cancer treatment (Lynne Eldridge). I believe that the initial collaboration that led to the examination of sound’s effect of E Coli could have inspired these new music sound cancer therapies.  


      When astronauts first went to the moon, there is no way they could have predicted the discoveries of the solar system that would lead to (Hall).  Likewise, I believe that Bioart could unlock a whole new realm of scientific knowledge.


       Bioart is an extremely new field, which means that  “these new media for art bring with them a whole new set of ethical issues” and “ some that are unprecedented in discussions of the biotech sciences” (Vaage). I am completely comfortable with bioart involving bacteria, fungi, and plants; however, I feel more uncomfortable with art involving animals and humans. For example, the creation of pig wings is something that I feel is unnecessary (Vaage).  However, I also feel that we don’t know yet what advantage it could bring, so I cannot prematurely conclude anything. I feel this is the issue with bioethics - it is highly debatable. For, how can you say a pig’s life is superior to a bacteria’s and how can you distinguish between art that is valuable and not. 

 

(Vaage Tissue Culture and Art Project, Pig Wings, 2000–2001. Pig mesenchymal cells (bone marrow stem cells) grown over biodegradable polymers. a Photographed under colored light: red bat wings, bluebird wings, and green pterosaur wings.) 


       Bioart opens up tremendous possibilities. However, the ethical questions that surround it cannot be answered at this point. Hence, I feel ambivalent about bioart. 




Works Cited 


Peterschmidt, Daniel. “This Biotech Artist Wants Scientists To Think About Their Creations.” Science Friday, 28 May 2020, www.sciencefriday.com/articles/biotech-artist/.  

Vaage, Nora S. “What Ethics for Bioart?” NanoEthics, vol. 10, no. 1, 2016, pp. 87–104., doi:10.1007/s11569-016-0253-6. 

 

Lynne Eldridge, MD. “The Emotional and Physical Benefits of Music on Cancer Patients.” Verywell Health, 22 Oct. 2020, www.verywellhealth.com/benefits-of-music-therapy-for-cancer-patients-2248912#:~:text=Increase%20in%20natural%20killer%20cells,aids%20in%20eliminating%20cancer%20cells. 


Hall, Loura. “Going to the Moon Was Hard - But the Benefits Were Huge, for All of Us.” NASA, NASA, 12 July 2019, www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/feature/Going_to_the_Moon_Was_Hard_But_the_Benefits_Were_Huge/. 


Vesna , Victoria, director. 5 Bioart pt1 1280x720. YouTube, YouTube, 18 Sept. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg&t=326s.  


Hunter, WhiteFeather. WhiteFeather Hunter, “The Witch in the Lab Coat,” 2 Nov. 2020, we-make-money-not-art.com/whitefeather-hunter-the-witch-in-the-lab-coat/.  


Peterschmidt, Daniel. This Biotech Artist Wants Scientists To Think About Their Creations, 28 May 2020, www.sciencefriday.com/articles/biotech-artist/.  


Vaage, Nora S. “Tissue Culture and Art Project, Pig Wings, 2000–2001. Pig Mesenchymal Cells (Bone Marrow Stem Cells) Grown over Biodegradable Polymers. a Photographed under Coloured Light: Red Bat Wings, Blue Bird Wings and Green Pterosaur Wings.” What Is Ethics for Bioart? , 3 Mar. 2016, link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11569-016-0253-6#Sec2. 

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