The Mexico Project - an ecological intervention, which includes the transplantation of two genetically modified cacti into wilderness.
The project explores ideas of belonging, constructions of nature and wilderness through releasing a novel specie. It asks: "Where does non-commercial genetically altered entities belong?"
The project explores ideas of belonging, constructions of nature and wilderness through releasing a novel specie. It asks: "Where does non-commercial genetically altered entities belong?"
Ideas of remythification and liberating organic techno-social life forms into the wild are surfaced. In the first transplantation, one transgenic cactus was transplanted in Desierto Sonorense, opening up discourses of the wild (raw nature) and the transgenic cactus' emancipation into a life in the matrix of binary oppositions. Narratives of hybridism, bioinvasion, bio-enrichment and belonging this transplantation opens attempts to look at positive and generative outcomes.
The second transplantation into nature amongst domesticated plants genetically contaminated both by sexual promiscuity of plants and intervention of man (unintentional and intentional) explores narratives of biopollution. Both transplantations explores belonging and constructions of nature. The transgenic cacti were either in the lab constantly being monitored or displayed in exhibitions where they were gazed upon.
The second transplantation into nature amongst domesticated plants genetically contaminated both by sexual promiscuity of plants and intervention of man (unintentional and intentional) explores narratives of biopollution. Both transplantations explores belonging and constructions of nature. The transgenic cacti were either in the lab constantly being monitored or displayed in exhibitions where they were gazed upon.
After returning from Mexico, the project's ideas and manifestations reversed. Setting free from what? Where do they truly belong? These questions opened discourses on belonging, framing nature and the wild as social narratives rather than ingrained metanarratives. This transgression led to questioning the very essence of nature and the wild, further demiraged by biotechnological accelerations.
The cacti were set free in Mexico: one among a large family of cacti in the north, the other with its transgenic cousins in the south. Their journey through Mexico is documented in a book and video footage.
The cacti were set free in Mexico: one among a large family of cacti in the north, the other with its transgenic cousins in the south. Their journey through Mexico is documented in a book and video footage.
