Before reading "Defining Life: Artists Challenge Conventional Classifications" by Ellen K. Levy, I hadn't thought of art beyond what is traditionally seen in a museum. One of the things that struck me most was the discussion of the artist Eduardo Kac. His work blurs the boundaries of living organisms, art, and technology and demonstrates how the concept of life along with its traditional definitions can indeed be challenged via art. Much of what Levy highlights in their text involves broadening the typical understanding of the aesthetic, philosophical, and biological aspects of life.
Much of the work that is created within the intersection of biotechnology and art, seems to explore how life in itself can be somewhat manipulated in order to create something that is not only novel, but also a way to further explore social and political implications of a kind of biotechnology that has increasingly advanced into a grayer area involving ethics.
Life in itself is indeed a valid expressive medium because, while many aspects of life are typically deemed as "naturally" occurring, the way that many of these biological processes have been interpreted to the masses can indeed include artistic elements that break the mold on how we view living organisms.
While I personally do not believe in "limiting" or restricting artistic forms of expression and human creativity, I do believe that art and creativity should never reach a point of creating harm. There is a difference between expressing pain, moral ambiguity, etc. without necessarily creating it, and perhaps that is a line that should not be crossed by those who desire to manipulate living organisms and semi-living systems as a means of expression or even as a form of storytelling.
Images:
Image #1: Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, Mass.
Image #2: Glow in the dark bunnies photograph by University of Hawaii
Video: University of Washington
References:
Beckenstein, Joyce. “Beyond the Art/Science Duality: A Conversation with Ellen K. Levy.” Sculpture, 24 Oct. 2022, sculpturemagazine.art/beyond-the-art-science-duality-a-conversation-with-ellen-k-levy/.
Holpuch, Amanda. “Scientists Breed Glow-in-the-Dark Rabbits.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 13 Aug. 2013, www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/13/glow-in-dark-rabbits-scientists.
Miranda, Carolina A. “Weird Science: Biotechnology as Art Form.” ARTnews.Com, ARTnews.com, 18 Nov. 2019, www.artnews.com/art-news/news/biotechnology-as-art-form-2184/.
UWcas. “Bio Art: Pushing the Boundaries of Art and Science.” YouTube, YouTube, 23 Jan. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIgMyUAFmXM.
Writer, Staff. “Bio-Artists Create Pieces by Using Living Materials.” The Augusta Chronicle, Augusta Chronicle, 4 Mar. 2007, www.augustachronicle.com/story/lifestyle/2007/03/04/liv-118606-shtml/14723706007/.
Hi Izellah,
ReplyDeleteI thought the ending of your blog was incredibly interesting and it reminded me of some principles I learned in my bioethics course regarding performing research on certain entities with moral ambiguity. In that class, we labeled things with varying degrees of “moral status,” which is simply a measure of how much something matters in our decision making. While the debate surrounding whether something has moral status continues, there are various methods of determining whether something may have higher moral status. For example, sentience, or the ability to feel pain, would grant something higher moral status, as it would likely prefer to not be harmed or killed. I think it’s interesting how we can apply these principles to art and how these specific subcategory of exhibits need to abide by the same rules and regulations that scientific research must follow.
Hi Izellah! I enjoyed reading your outlook on biotechnology as I also had never thought deeply about art in this aspect. It's fascinating to see how Ellen K. Levy's exploration of art challenges our conventional notions of life and its expressions. Eduardo Kac's work, in particular, exemplifies how artists push the boundaries, merging living organisms, technology, and art into a seamless continuum. This blurring of lines not only stimulates our aesthetic senses but also prompts deep philosophical and ethical reflections. Levy's work, alongside your reflection, highlights the need for a nuanced approach to understanding and appreciating the intricate interplay between art, science, and ethics. It's through these conversations that we can harness the transformative power of art while safeguarding the integrity and dignity of life in all its forms. Great job!
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