Week 6: BioTech + Art

 Week 6: BioTech + Art 

    Joe Davis is an important person towards the field of BioTech and Art as he emphasizes how science should gain its value to people as it is all around us. He incorporates art in an artistic form through his work with genes and bacteria. Professor Vesna discussed the Audio Microscope which was one of Davis's inventions that allowed us to listen to living cells. This shows his creativity as an artists because his form of art is different than most artists as he is inspired by the connections of science, technology, and art. 

A small introduction of who Joe Davis is, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GkZt00Qics

    Biotechnology is still a controversial topic as Professor Vesna stated because it invasive to living organisms and it can impose a threat to its environment.  However, it does help society have a conversation about the connections between these living and non-living organisms. Just like technology is advancing, the creativity within people will extend and it will not be reflected on white canvas using paints but it will now start to incorporate the environment and let curiosity flourish. For example, Alba was a rabbit in which scientist altered the DNA and inserted a jellyfish gene allowing for the florescent green glow appearance. To scientists, this was a useful experiment because it allowed the to see the alterations that can be made which can help influence the curiosity of the human body. This connects the medicine and arts field because scientists are trying to develop proteins that are needed to recover without taking the drugs needed in order to help those who may not be able to afford them 

Glow in the dark rabbits, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqQ-DSKObTI

    However, this created a lot of debate because it made people concerned on how these animals are being used. Hence, the exploitation of these animals caused a risk for their environments as well. The scientists intentions were not to harm the animals but to gain insights that can help the human population; the controversy only puts a hold to their work and art. 

Picture of the "glowing rabbits", https://www.cbsnews.com/news/living-breathing-glowing-rabbits-successfully-born/

Citations: 

1. Elliot, Danielle. “Living, Breathing, Glowing Rabbits Successfully Born.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 14 Aug. 2013, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/living-breathing-glowing-rabbits-successfully-born/.  

2. Vesna, Victoria, director. 5 bioart pt1 1280x720. YouTube, YouTube, 18 Sep. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg.

3. Scientist? Artist. Pirate! Who Is Joe Davis? - Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GkZt00Qics.  

4. Solon, Olivia. “Bioart: The Ethics and Aesthetics of Using Living Tissue as a Medium.” Wired, Conde Nast, 28 July 2011, https://www.wired.com/2011/07/bioart/. 

5. Glow in the Dark Rabbits Created by Scientists with Jellyfish DNA - Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqQ-DSKObTI.