Biotech + Art

As art continues to expand into our bodies and our environment, artists have worked in laboratories to work directly with biologists, nanotechnologists, geneticists, and neuroscientists to go into the cellular tissue level. There is a gray area when defining the term BioArt. Some artists feel that you have to be working with the tissue to define it as BioArt, while other artists feel just collaborating with scientists and using scientific imaging would be BioArt. Regardless, it is a controversial topic, especially when it comes to the ethical concerns of artists tinkering with the genetic structures of natural systems (Vesna). 

MicroCT Image of a Juvenile Squirrel Monkey

Suzanne Anker is a visual artist and theorist. Considered a pioneer, she has been working on BioArt for over twenty-five years. She has investigated the ways in which nature is manipulated in the 21st century. She delves into genetics, climate change, species extinction and toxic degradation. Some things Anker incorporates is botanical specimens, medical museum artifacts, and microscopic images. 

Suzanne Anker

In "Defining Life: Artists Challenge Conventional Classifications" by Ellen K. Levy, she dives into how artists are exploring the boundaries of traditional definitions of life. Levy argues that these artists are using their creativity to challenge binary distinctions between biology, technology, and culture. She says that these artistic perspectives can give useful insight for scientists and help us better understand the complexity and ever-moving nature of life. I agree with Levy's views. She believes that by embracing a more inclusive approach to the studying living systems, it will help scientists to solve modern day challenges such as climate change, new diseases, and ethical implications of new biotechnologies. These impending problems require definite solutions, and we have yet to come up with any.  Any effort regarding working towards solutions should be appreciated. 

While Darkness Sleeps by Suzanne Anker

Works Cited 

“2020 BioArt Winners.” 2020 BioArt Winners, www.anatomy.org/AAA/AAA/Awards/2020-BioArt-Winners.aspx.

Levy, Ellen K. “Defining Life: Artists Challenge Conventional Classifications.” Context Providers, 2014, pp. 275–298, doi:10.2307/j.ctv36xvqqx.16.

“Suzanne Anker - BFA Fine Arts - School of Visual Arts, SVA NYC.” BFA Fine Arts, 20 Dec. 2021, bfafinearts.sva.edu/people/suzanne-anker/.

“Suzanne Anker – Sva Bio Art Lab - School of Visual Arts.” SVA Bio Art Lab, bioart.sva.edu/faculty/suzanne-anker/.

Terranova, Charissa N. “Suzanne Anker: While Darkness Sleeps.” Glasstire, 5 Sept. 2015, glasstire.com/2014/02/06/suzanne-anker-while-darkness-sleeps/.

Vesna, Victoria. “5 BioArt Pt 2.”