Genomic Art: Seeing Controversy
Presented at the Society of Photographic Education
Southwest Conference
Denver, CO, October 2004
Abstract:
Art inspired by genetics came to the forefront of the art community's attention this summer when Steve Kurtz was arrested in upstate New York and charged with bioterrorism. The arrest of Kurtz has engaged the outrage of fellow artists. An examination of the artistic experiements of "genomic" artists reveals that the involvement of federal law might have been an inevitable result. It was only a matter of time before the establishment took notice. Genomic art lies on the edge of controversy and legality, and contemporary artists are challenging new technologies in creative ways that range from subtle to direct.
Artists discussed:
Gary Schneider, Catherine Chalmers, Gail
Wight, Critical Art Ensemble (CAE),
Eduardo Kac, Virgil Wong, Christine Chin