BIOART FORUM

School of Life Sciences, Molecular and Applied Biosciences, University of Westminster, London, UK

The bioart session organised by Howard Boland (c-lab) was divided into 3 stages to give participants hands-on experiences, show breadth of practitioners and discuss critical aspects linked to these practices.

The session was part of a PhD forum that aims to develop critical discussions on theory and research practices between The Centre for Research and Education in Arts and Media (CREAM) and The Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI) at the University of Westminster.
Lab participants
Lab participants

A laboratory session was held prior to the discussion at the department of Molecular and Applied Biosciences where participants were invited to see and experience techniques, materials and instruments used in genetic engineering and synthetic biology. Procedures such as cutting out DNA parts (digestion), aligning and inserting new parts (ligation), separation of DNA (running electrophoresis gels) and finally placing genetic material (plasmids) into organisms (transformation) were shown and discussed towards its potential as an artistic media.

The session proved particularly useful in bridging concepts across disciplines by looking at overlapping operations and signification processes. By interacting with the space and materials, the aim was to provide a deepened understanding between how this knowledge space can be interrogated towards the production of art works.
Documentation of Gel
Documentation of Gel

Operations such as manipulation and visualisation of DNA fragments on gels was one practical element explored, and included looking at the functioning of DNA ladders (Lane 1 in the gel above) as a tool for measuring fragments (Lane 2 in the gel above), the molecular cutting of DNA using enzymes and the physcial cutting of bands using a knife. The lab session ended off by giving the participants an opportunity to observe bacteria up-close using a fluorescent microscope. Importantly, the various scales and levels of working with the media from genetic parts to colonies and individual bacteria captures some of the ranges negotiated by biological art practices.

After the session, the group rejoined at the board room in Regent street were a video of various works and activities from artists like Eduardo Kac, The Tissue Culture and Art  and Culture Project, c-lab, Adam Zaretsky, Marta de Menezes, Joe Davis, George Gessert and Edward Steichen were featured.

The discussion focused on two texts, 'Who is in control here? Meditating on Eduardo Kac's Transgenic Art' by N. Katherine Hayles and 'The Mutagenic Arts' by Adam Zaretsky, however this was expanded to include both ethical aspects, the linkage between performance arts and bioart, historical connections and how this art is motivated.
Two types of media: LB-broth, used to grow-up larger amounts of bacteria often overnight and LB-Agar used to grow fewer
Two types of media: LB-broth, used to grow-up larger amounts of bacteria often overnight and LB-Agar used to grow fewer but distinguished colonies on plates.© c-lab 2010
By placing plates under UV-light, the green fluorescent proteins become illuminated and give of an eerie green colour fr
By placing plates under UV-light, the green fluorescent proteins become illuminated and give of an eerie green colour from bacterial colonies. © c-lab 2010
An example of a primer used to produce larger quantities of DNA segments. The primer allows us to target a segment of in
An example of a primer used to produce larger quantities of DNA segments. The primer allows us to target a segment of interest and produce it in large enough amounts to be used in DNA manipulation. © c-lab 2010
Metrics for genetics, the DNA Ladder was used to give DNA fragments a value measured in basepairs. © c-lab 2010
Metrics for genetics, the DNA Ladder was used to give DNA fragments a value measured in basepairs. © c-lab 2010
Digested DNA, using molecular cutters or enzymes to cut-up DNA. After running these on a gel, fragments separate in size
Digested DNA, using molecular cutters or enzymes to cut-up DNA. After running these on a gel, fragments separate in size. Smaller fragments move further down the lanes. © c-lab 2010
An abstract representation of a DNA plasmid where restriction sites and other features have been mapped. Restriction sit
An abstract representation of a DNA plasmid where restriction sites and other features have been mapped. Restriction sites are used to cut DNA parts out or have new parts inserted. © c-lab 2010
How do artistic practices using biological materials negotiate a scientific knowledge space and develop forms of represe
How do artistic practices using biological materials negotiate a scientific knowledge space and develop forms of representation? Or are there additional questions thrown up when working with biological matter? © c-lab 2010
Variation in media changes bacteria’s motility. In a soft media (a mixture between solid and solute) bacteria can quickl
Variation in media changes bacteria’s motility. In a soft media (a mixture between solid and solute) bacteria can quickly spread and form patterns in petri dishes. © c-lab 2010
Colleagues from CREAM and CAMRI gather at the School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster.© c-lab 2010
Colleagues from CREAM and CAMRI gather at the School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster.© c-lab 2010
Sterile conditions is a key requirement to working in a laboratory. Pipettes, tubes and media are made sterile by autocl
Sterile conditions is a key requirement to working in a laboratory. Pipettes, tubes and media are made sterile by autoclaving using high temperature and pressure. © c-lab 2010
An example of a transformed batch of cells and competent cells. Competent cells are the workhorses without any specific
An example of a transformed batch of cells and competent cells. Competent cells are the workhorses without any specific new plasmids, the transformed cell are the cells that host a new plasmid and expresses a desired trait. © c-lab 2010
We observed single bacteria swimming using a Fluorescent Microscope. The green glow, shows how this bacterium is express
We observed single bacteria swimming using a Fluorescent Microscope. The green glow, shows how this bacterium is expressing green fluorescent protein. © c-lab 2010
Many procedures take a significant amount of time to be carried out. A longer workshop would be required to follow steps
Many procedures take a significant amount of time to be carried out. A longer workshop would be required to follow steps in details. © c-lab 2010
The minute scale of working requires both calculation and precision. Artists may be required to familiarise themselves w
The minute scale of working requires both calculation and precision. Artists may be required to familiarise themselves with meticulous methodologies of sciences in order to perform the practice.© c-lab 2010
A piece of gel seen through an orange filter. Gel bands containing the DNA fragments have been physically cut out from t
A piece of gel seen through an orange filter. Gel bands containing the DNA fragments have been physically cut out from the gel and are glowing illuminating orange from Ethidium Bromide. By cutting the gel out DNA become physically separated. © c-lab 2010
A gel seen with the naked eye on a UV-transilluminator. We are unable to see the DNA even though it is there. By using a
A gel seen with the naked eye on a UV-transilluminator. We are unable to see the DNA even though it is there. By using an orange coloured filter the DNA becomes visible. © c-lab 2010
Two bottles of media after inoculation. A selective antibiotic is often used to ensure that only those cells with insert
Two bottles of media after inoculation. A selective antibiotic is often used to ensure that only those cells with inserted plasmid construct grow (e.g. inferring resistance to Ampicillin). © c-lab 2010
Much of the material is kept cool by working on iceboxes. This provides stability and longevity for products and culture
Much of the material is kept cool by working on iceboxes. This provides stability and longevity for products and cultures. © c-lab 2010