BIOTECHNOLOGY + ART

            Animal testing is a major phenomenon in today’s world. This week’s lecture and materials touch upon Biotechnology art and show it to be one of the most controversial art forms today. Professor Vesna introduces a few artists in her lectures who talk about and who have researched animal testing.

Eduardo Kac is first introduced along with his rabbit Alba. This scientist would conduct experiments oh his pet rabbit Alba. Some of these experiments included the injecting of genes that possessed fluorescent jelly fish in them. This injection was called the zygote micro injection. The picture below shows the rabbit after the zygote micro injection. This may satisfy a person’s fantasies to own a fluorescent rabbit, but this seems like a ridiculous way to produce art. For decades now, there has been many protest to end animal testing and experiments. Even though many different experiments and test done to animals have significantly benefitted humans, I think this injection specifically should not be continued.

There are very few original ideas in today’s world, and many ideas and concepts are continued, stretched, stolen, or even spark another person’s creativity. In this case, Eduardo Kac’s experiment influenced the organization, Symbiotic. Symbiotic works with biotechnical artists and supports their practices. There are very similar, if not identical, experiments to Eduardo Kac’s. In addition to the rabbit, insects are used for research as well. There are some experiments done to better the flight pattern of butterflies. In this case, I think that these experiments are beneficial because butterflies are on the close watch list, and insects in general live significantly shorter than rabbits and other mammals. These small tests will benefit all butterflies in the long run.

George Gessert is another artist, mentioned in professor Vesna’s lecture,  who aspires to use biotechnology to positively impact the environment. Gessert would breed plants and turn it into art. This was not an original idea. Like I said earlier, many ideas inspire other great scientists and/or artists. In this case, Gessert’s work branched off Edwards Steichen’s research. Steichen would photograph the plants he bred as well. Both artists are not harming the environment. Professor Vesna just points out these artists to demonstrate how Biotechnology can be used to create beautiful art in addition to helpful studies.

Kac, Eduardo. “Natural History of the Enigma.” Ekac. 2009. Web. 10 May 2017. 

Victoria. “Biotechnology and Art Part 1” 1280x720." YouTube. UC Online Program, 18 Sept. 2013. Web. 08 May 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg

Vesna, Victoria. "Biotechnology and Art Part 2." Uc Online Program, 17 Mar. 2012. Web. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg

Vesna, Victoria. "Biotechnology and Art Part 3." YouTube. UC Online Program, 17 May 2012. Web. 08 May 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL9DBF43664EAC8BC7&v=3EpD3np1S2g

Vesna, Victoria. "Biotechnology and Art Part 4." YouTube. UC Online Program, 17 May 2012. Web. 08 May 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL9DBF43664EAC8BC7&v=2qSc72u9KhI

Vesna, Victoria. "Biotechnology and Art Part 5." YouTube. UC Online Program, 17 May 2012. Web. 08 May 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL9DBF43664EAC8BC7&v=z7zHIdsFS3A>.