Week 6: BioTech and Art

Genetic modification of living organisms is a controversial subject for scientists, but especially for artists. For example, the artist Kac’s bunny “Alba” glows green when under a black light because it was genetically modified with a fluorescent protein taken from the Aequorea victoria jellyfish. There was much protest from animal rights activists who claimed that it was unnecessary and abusive as well as from scientists who claimed it was not more than a novelty. While Alba may not have been created for pure scientific advancement, Alba brought up stimulating discussions about the nature of biotechnology, genetic modification, and animal use in scientific research. Despite the controversy, Alba demonstrates why it is important that artists be involved in biotechnology research.

Some artists are recognizing the public fear of genetically modified organisms and have created art to show how it is not a bad. For example, Keira Havens and Nikolai Braun at Revolution Bio created the Petunica circadia, a flower that is genetically engineered to beautifully change colors during the day. It was intended to show that biotechnology can be used to create more beautiful organisms that appeal to everyone.

The Petunica circadia

In addition, artist Sam Van Aken created the “Tree of 40 Fruit,” in which he sculpted a tree using grafting to create a tree that produced over 40 different varieties of fruit including peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines, cherries, and almonds. This is another example of an artist manipulating a living organism to create something beautiful and productive that benefits society.

The Tree of 40 Fruit

Finally, the video game Spore explores a world where the player create their own organism starting from a simple cell and genetically modifies it until it is a large creature in any way they please. Depending on the players’ genetic choices, the world around the organisms changes. This is an interesting exploration of human manipulation of organisms that portrays genetic modification in a friendly and optimistic light.

Spore Trailer

Artists play an important role in showing how genetic modification of organisms can make the world a more beautiful place and that it does not need to be feared. While there is a lot of controversy surrounding the topic, artists have worked to show that the results of genetic manipulation are not all necessarily bad and have sparked important discussions about genetically engineering organisms. 

References

Aken, Sam V. The Tree of 40 Fruit. Digital image. Sam Van Aken. 2014. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://www.treeof40fruit.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Tree-for-web-rect-989x700.jpg>. 

Aken, Sam V. "The Tree of 40 Fruit." SAM VAN AKEN. 2014. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://www.samvanaken.com/?works=tree-of-40-fruit>. 

Braun, Nikolai. Petunica Circadia. Digital image. IndieGoGo. Apr. 2015. Web. 10 May 2015. <https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1325415/files/20150325101101-petunia_timelapse.gif?1427303461>. 

Delgado, Rick. "How Artists Are Blending Biotechnology And Art." MakeUseOf. 8 May 2015. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/artists-blending-biotechnology-art/>. 

Misra, Risa. "This Tree Is Growing 40 Different Kinds Of Fruit At Once." Io9. 22 July 2014. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://io9.com/this-tree-is-growing-40-different-kinds-of-fruit-at-onc-1608917128>. 

Onion, Amanda. "Artist's Glowing, Live Rabbit Creation Causes Fuss." ABC News. ABC News Network, 19 Sept. 2015. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=119939>. 

Riquelme, Lourdes. "Petunica Circadia, Where Art and Biotechnology Meet - Labiotech.eu." Labiotecheu. 06 Mar. 2015. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://labiotech.eu/petunica-circadia-where-art-and-biotechnology-meet/>. 

Spore Game Trailer. Youtube. EA, 28 Dec. 2008. Web. 10 May 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUFLou_d4uw>.