Bio Technology + Art

Biotechnology is an advancing concept that enhances biological systems by using living organisms to develop or create different products. 

Biotechnology in our modern world

In lecture for this week our guest speaker Marta Menezes gave us great insight on her own methodology for research and art with some examples being defining, ideating, pro typing, testing, and empathising. It was really eye opening to see the dedication and commitment with time she put into this and something which hopefully others could be inspired to take the lead on in the future. Professor Vesna continued to discuss in lecture how other bio artists work with live cells, tissues, and animals by introducing other biotechnology art projects like 'Blood Wars' and 'Genetic Folk Art'.  Another Biotechnology project that was discussed is the GFP bunny - which used used a jellyfish's fluorescent protein and inserted this into a rabbit cell. 

GFD bunny

Our world is constantly changing - becoming more advanced with technology, and formulating different ways to make our everyday things more possible and accessible. This has become more evident in the past year specifically as our world is experiencing a global pandemic due to Covid-19.  Bio technology is playing a huge role in industries for example food in which artists are taking inspiration from and creating their own spin. 

Comparison with 'real' vs 'fake'

Biotechnology is also strongly related to the food industry and the way companies market their products to make it more appealing for a customer to purchase. This relates to what we are learning about as the food is the art in this case in which people are trying to make this seem the most scrumptious and the technology side comes from the chemical make up of GMO's and props used to make the food look more tasty. 

Half the time the 'food' you see on commercial is something else which makes it look more shiny, bigger, crunchy and therefore will hopefully get the attention of others. 

Showing how some companies use other products to make their food seem more appealing

However there has been some controversy with this field and companies have been receiving backlash for not providing the products they are advertising. Despite all this some companies have been using this to their advantage and using technology to develop healthier food better suited for some dietary requirements. For example 'golden rice' which has been modified to contain beta-carotene to help those who are not getting enough vitamin A. 

Biotechnology is a controversial and exciting form of development which as our world continues to grow we will see changes with as well. 

Sources: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BioArt#:~:text=BioArt%20is%20an%20art%20practice,galleries%2C%20or%20artists'%20studios.

Waltz, Emily. "Appetite Grows for Biotech Foods with Health Benefits." Nature News. Nature Publishing Group, 29 Apr. 2019. Web. 04 May 2021.

"American Fast Food Restaurants." List Challenges. Web. 04 May 2021.

https://brightside.me/wonder-curiosities/15-incredible-tricks-advertisers-use-to-make-food-look-delicious-296860/

https://www.bio.org/what-biotechnology

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_rice