Art and Biotechnology: Viral Culture from CRISPR to COVID (Biotechne: Interthinking Art, Science and Design)

This interdisciplinary anthology examines the relationship between developments in biotechnology and both artistic and literary innovation, focussing in particular on how newfound molecular technologies and knowledge regimes, such as CRISPR gene editing, alter conceptions of what it means to be human. The book presents 21 essays, split across four parts, from a coterie of artists, theorists, historians and scientists which examine the symbiotic relationship between humans, animals, and viruses as well as the impossibility of germ-free existence. The essays in this volume are urgent in their topicality, embodying the exhilarating yet alarming zeitgeist of contemporary nonhuman-to-human viral transmission and gene editing technologies. Ultimately, Art and Biotechnology reveals how art and biotechnology influence each other and how art has shaped the discussion around gene editing and the socio-cultural aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is essential reading for students and researchers focussing on science and art, environmental humanities, and ethics. Cover Halftitle page Series page Title page Copyright page Dedication CONTENTS PLATES FIGURES NOTES ON CONTRIBUTORS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Introduction CRISPR, COVID, Creativity, and Control Claire Correo Nettleton and Louise Mackenzie Viral Cultures: A History Organization Biotechnology and the Arts COVID-19 and the Arts References PART ONE Biotechnology and the Arts: Studies 1 Resurrecting the Woolly Mammoth and Muybridge’s Horse CRISPR, Cinema, and Species Revival Claire Correo Nettleton 1. What is the Relationship between Genome Editing and Cinematic Editing, Especially Regarding the Potential to Reanimate Animals During a Time of their Disappearance? Eadweard Muybridge: From the Zoopraxiscope to Nope (2022) Muybridge and CRISPR Microcinematography 2. Do De-extinction Efforts, in the Context of this Essay, Impose Human Dominance or Restore Nonhuman Life? 3. Could Biotechnology Revitalize the Humanities by Breathing New Life into Works of Art, Literature, and Film? In What Ways Might a Humanistic Approach to this Experiment and CRISPR Allow Us to Think About Ethics? References 2 Autopoiesis in Contemporary Bioart Rethinking Autonomy and Agency Charissa N. Terranova Autopoiesis and Systems Counterculture Living Systems Aesthetics Real Time Living Systems: Bioart and Evolution in Real Time Conclusion: Biotechnological Systems and Paul Vanouse’s “Labor” References 3 The Exterminating Angels Bio-/Thanatos-Art Pablo Baler Bioart Biofiction Notes References 4 Viral Variation(s) Juan Eduardo Cirlot and the Poetics of Permutation Paul Cahill Reading and Revising the “Book of Life” Spanish Poets and Science Serial and Procedural Forms, or The Diverse Ways in which Items Come Together Cirlot’s Phonovisual Variations 1. Eight Phonovisual Variations on the Name of Inger Stevens (1935–1970) 2. Eight Phonovisual Variations on the Name of Helma with the Addition of 5 Letters (I,Y,D,O,S) 3. Nine Phonovisual Variations on the Name of Bronwyn Conclusion: Hereditary Heterodoxy Notes References PART TWO Biotechnology and the Arts: Practice 5 Baitul Ma’mur DNA Manifolds and the House of Angels Joe Davis The Human Predisposition for Spirituality Subhan Allah —Manifesting Angels DNA Manifolds Conclusion Notes References 6 Gene Music Biologically Motivated Musical Serialism Ira Fleming History of Gene Music Musicality of Genetic Sequences Method of Composition Production of the Slit Protein Composition Conclusion References 7 Transformation An Exercise in How to Relate to Lively Material Louise Mackenzie Introduction Relatable Anthropomorphism Psychotransgenics, or The Detournement of Cell Cloning Body Language Transformation Ancestry of a Bioassemblage Performing Anthropomorphism Notes References 8 Symbiogenesis Begins at the Mouth, Skin, and Genitalia Ken Rinaldo End / Begin-Again References 9 Aphrodisiac in the Machine Stephanie Rothenberg Prologue: Born from the Sea Aquadisia Networks Unnaturally Flavored Capital: Ecosystem Services Aquaculture: Forever Oceans and Giant Toilets Aquadisia Water: The Science of Sentience 2.0 Conclusion: The Viral Aphrodisiac in the Machine Notes References PART THREE COVID and the Arts: Reflections 10 Art Worlds Evolving Notes on Evolutionary Metaphors of Change and the Global Art System Meredith Tromble A Case Study Past Present Difference Matters! References 11 Embracing Viral Uncertainty? It’s Complicated Roberta Buiani The Curious Seed Losing Trust, Gaining Trust Learning from Viral Phenomena: Uncertainty over Confidence Embracing the Viral and Care References 12 The Anosmatic Symposium Regine Rapp and Christian de Lutz Introduction Borderless Bacteria Anosmatic Connections Learning Viral Lessons References 13 FEMeeting Making of an Antibodies Network Marta de Menezes and Dalila Honorato Contagious by Contact Contamination by Association Notes References 14 COVID-19 and the Embodiment of Disruption Assemblages of Agency and the Turducken of Chaos WhiteFeather Hunter and Molly McKinney Turducken: The History of Building a Dish Accidental Agents, the Ushers of Chaos Disruptions in Seeking or Providing Care: “Catastrophizers” and “Hysterics” Case Study 1: Healthcare Worker as Catastrophizer (Molly McKinney) Case Study 2: Patient as Embodiment of Viral Deviance (WhiteFeather Hunter) A Chaotic Conclusion: Squirming into Dissolution and Reform Notes References 15 Life in the Time of Slow Hauling Knowledge Dolores Steinman References PART FOUR COVID and the Arts: Practice 16 Thermobiopolitics Oron Catts and Ionat Zurr Epistemology Methodology Ontology Note References 17 Utter On the Matter of Human Emissions Paul Vanous Beyond Semiotics Emissions Entanglements The Utter Project Artifice Outer and Other Space Note References 18 Death Tool Kit Practical and Spiritual Guidance from Artists Adriene Jenik, IONE, Marne Lucas, Linda Mary Montano, and Kira O’Reilly Kathy High Personal Account Practicing Death Loving One’s Fear of Dying Assisted Dying The Diversity of Grief Presence Without the Body From Wakefulness into Dissolution: Trusting the Bardo Conclusion and Dissolution Note References 19 Creating and Exhibiting Artworks Embedded with SARS CoV-2 Genetic Material during the COVID-19 Pandemic Anna Dumitriu Introduction There is a Sense that the World is Heading Toward a New Pandemic . . . The Plague Year(s) Shielding Incorporating SARS-CoV-2 RNA from a Plasmid Construct Lockdown Votives Plague Votives Sublime Relics of the Laboratory Notes References 20 Living in the Pandemic Panopticon Who/What Is Watching You While You Think You Are Alone? Karolina Z ̇yniewicz Living in the Pandemic Panopticon: Who/What is Watching you while you think you are Alone? Biopolitical Panopticon Nonhuman Guard Signs of the Times: Collecting Biological Traces and Memories Staying in Touch by Seeing References 21 Viruses as Testing Grounds for Speculations Pei-Ying Lin References INDEX Plates