Artists and Biology Research

Why is Biology Interesting to Artists

Critical area of innovation - opening up new possibilities, areas of inquiry, products.  scientific research and technological development	NSF - genome research
Contested area of culture.  eg. deconstructing nature, body, gender, disease	8 cell embryo - stem cells
Biology has a mind of its own.  Unlike other art materials, it sets on its own trajectories.	Australian rabbit coin
We are biology ourselves.  A way of investigating our selves.	Visible Man

Philosphical Issues Underlying Biology Research

What is the nature of life? How are the living and non-living different?
What are the boundaries of naturally occuring life? - What are the limits of the forms it can take? What might exterrestial life be like? Can there be  forms of life not based on carbon?	SetiAtHome - search for extrerrestial life
Can we synthesize life? Can we create semi-life? Can we create artificial life? Will nanotechnology be able fabricate life atom by atom?  Can we modify life through bioengineering?  through breeding? What are the limits?	Semi-living Art Tissue Culture and Art Group
To what extent does genetics determine ultimate organism?  What is the balance between nature and nurture?  Can all biology ultimately be reduced to coding and bioinfomatics? What is the nature of consciousness and intelligence?  What is the relationship of brain and mind?  Can we synthesize them?  What is the nature of non-human intelligence?	Rice University Bioinfomtics group
What are the possibilities and limitations of "posthuman" enhancement?  Can we increase strength, endurance, intelligence, creativity,  sexual powers? Can we control mood and psychic space?  What are the limits of psychopharmacology?  Is there a prozac for everyone?	Firewater Music Group - Album Cover
Can we eradicate disease? Can we create super-health?  Can life be prolonged?  Can death be eliminated?	Fountain of Youth
What is the nature of connection between species?  What is the connection between organic and non organic systems?
Ethics.  Which of any of these should be pursued and which not?

Examples of Areas of Biology Research & Development Asking for Artistic Inquiry

Smell & Taste  - Artificial Noses, Smell Synthesis, Pheromones, the near senses	u of Illinois - artificial nose
Bionics - integration of machine and organism	Campbell Aird - Irish bionic arm
Brain-machine interface Neurons in Petri dish run robots	Steve Potter - GaTech
Brain control - remote control rats	Sanjiv Talwar, SUNY
Bioidentification	Image from MSU Biometrics Research Page
Designer Drugs	Applied Molecular Evolution - cocaine analog without addiction
Bacterial memory for computers	bacteriorhodopsin protein

Protozoa Games  -   Stephen Wilson

New information available via new tools Digital Microscope and motion tracking Facination with other life forms Follow Me - Reverse usual experimental forms Protozoa in charge Control Me - Wacky commentary on Experiments colored lights, sound/voice what really is important in protozoa lives? Themes explored: Human relationships with animals Ethics of animal and human experimentation Nature of intelligence and consciousness Reflections on the essence of life Protozoa Complexity

Artists Working with Biology

Microbiology - Laura Cinti - Cactus Project
Mcirovenus - Joe Davis  - embed codes in ecoli
One Tree - Natile Jerijemko
Hubert Duprat - Caddis Worm
Diana Domingues -Insn(h)ak(r)es  - Robot snake
Mel Chin - Revival Field
Stelarc - Parasite - external control of body, broadcasts from inside of body - prostheses