Jens Hauser, a Paris-based curator, had said that “bio-art isn’t simply about creating metaphorical representations of scientific concept, it’s about using actual scientific techniques: creating hybrids and manipulating live organisms” (Miranda 2007). We are starting to see a shift from aesthetics to focusing on the actual practice within the art world and this is more evident with biotech and art. Jen Hauser additional mentions that the new medium within art is starting to become biotechnology.

However, although there is a shift occurring I don’t think that humans should be using life and nature as a new medium to express their creativity. There is a fine line when using and life and nature. Other organisms use other life forms in order to live, and that occurs within all species. Leaf cutting ants use plants to produce fungi they need in order to live and we as human plant produce in order to live (Munger 2010). Although there is debate around genetic modification of produce, at the end of the day they have good intentions that I believe are not entirely harmful. Making vegetable and fruits larger can significantly reduce how much we spend on produce annually and save us a lot of money, but using life to express creativity is where I believe we draw the line.

As presented in lecture by Professor Vesna, there are many artists today who are using life to push the boundaries of art and creativity. The artist Orlan had created a blanket out of bacteria and we see 3D implanting by Stelarc. I think that such art projects push the boundary too far and it is arguably if they are benefiting to society or not.

On the other hand, with such extreme art projects occurring there has to be some positivity out of them. Stelarc’s third ear can relate to recent research in tissue regeneration. With the skin healing over an unnecessary implant, it shows the capabilities of our body and gives research an insight on how our skin functions and interacts with the environment in order to heal itself. By using his project, researchers can look into fibroblast cells (Ericson 2010).

Bibliography:

Ericson, John. "Study Reveals Body's Secret To Skin Regeneration, Rejuvenation." Medical Daily. 12 Dec. 2013. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://www.medicaldaily.com/study-reveals-bodys-secret-skin-regeneration-rejuvenation-what-fibroblast-cells-can-teach-us-about>.

Miranda, Carolina. "Weird Science: Biotechnology as Art Form." ARTnews. 18 Mar. 2013. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://www.artnews.com/2013/03/18/biotechnology-as-art-form/>.

Munger, Dave. "Seed Magazineabout." Agriculture in the Wild § SEEDMAGAZINE.COM. 10 Nov. 2010. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/agriculture_in_the_wild/>.

"Biotech Art - We Make Money Not Art." Biotech Art - We Make Money Not Art. 9 Mar. 2008. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://we-make-money-not-art.com/archives/biotech_art/index.php?page=9>.

"Biomimetic Peptides: The Most Innovative and Intelligent Way to Regenerate Your Skin - Sha Magazine." Sha Magazine. 13 Nov. 2012. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://shawellnessclinic.com/shamagazine/en/biomimetic-peptides-the-most-innovative-and-intelligent-way-to-regenerate-your-skin/> .

"Ear on Arm, Stelarc at the Media Gallery." FluxMedia Ear on Arm Stelarc at the Media Gallery Comments. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://www.fluxnetwork.net/ear-on-arm-stelarc-at-the-media-gallery/>.