College Art Association Annual Conference: February 9-12, 2011

Bio-Art, Boundaries, and Borders

Panel Chair: Jennifer Johung

In recent years, the intersections between biotechnology and art have wielded a range of experiments that seek to reproduce or reconfigure living organisms, to examine mutual interactions between them and their environment, and to catalyze living systems on both micro and macro levels.  This panel seeks to explore the re-imagination of boundaries proposed by bio-artists and architects, and the ethical and political issues that are raised once the borders within and between bodies begin to be challenged.  In addition to exploring the body’s own permeability on a cellular level, this panel will also address the reshaping of spatial borders by those practicing across or theorizing the intersections between biotechnology, art and architecture.  Papers and presentations will explore various experimentations with porous membranes and tissue culture, as well as biologically-engineered living spaces and the use of biological components in structural design and building.

• Linda Weintraub (Art Now Publications): “Bio-Art Left out of the Bio-Art Debate”

• Meredith Hoy (UMass Boston): “Eco-Locative: Media Art and Sustainability Practices”

• Kelly Rafferty (Arizona State University): “Regeneration: Tissue Engineering, Maintenance, and Gendered Infrastructures”

• Nathaniel Stern and Yevgenia Kaganovich (UW-Milwaukee): artist presentation on Falling Still

more information: conference.collegeart.org/2011/