40 Rosebery Ave, St Werburghs, Bristol, BS2 9TN
Tel: 0117 9553780
Applying to:
Developing and realising visual arts project, Grant for artists:
Funding required for:
Project: Do It Yourself Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid Day (DIY DNA DAY).
Over the past 5 years, I have been following the developments of biotechnology in the areas of food production, intellectual property rights and DIY culture. I believe that biotechnology will follow the same course of development as computer science: starting initially in the military industrial sphere and gradually migrating into the domestic environment with the assistance of artists. 10 years ago, many people were highly critical of computers which were generally regarded as machines of control and surveillance used by greedy bosses or megalomanics. Today they are common place in the average household. I predict that in 10 years time or less, the general public will be enthusiastic users of domestic biotech equipment. The first toys (e.g.: Discovery Kids DNA Explorer) have already appeared on the market, which will prime a whole generation for Biotech Hobbyism.
As with the computer revolution, the key component will be the bedroom hobbyist. All recent cultural revolutions have originated in peoples domestic sphere e.g.: techno music and the internet. I believe artists should not only be active participants when this change happens, but that they should also be driving it from the beginning. For this to happen artists must have not only access to knowledge and resources, but also a critical context and an exchange economy. I propose to organise a pilot event at The Cube Microplex, Bristol called Do It Yourself Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid Day (DIY DNA DAY).
This will be a low-budget, informal event along the lines of a hobby club e.g. model aeroplanes where people can set up stall to show their projects and take pleasure in others.
Growing Things was a conference held at The Banff Centre, Canada co-organised by myself and the director of the New Media Institute, Sara Diamond. It was attended by a full spectrum of practitioners ranging from scientists to art students. My role was to mainly source non-institutional projects and people.
Biotech Hobbyist Magazine was an attempt at an on-line magazine for domestic enthusiasts providing news, views and most importantly practical projects. It was modelled on the hobby electronics magazines through which I educated myself to such a degree that I build myself a computer from scratch at the age of 13 in 1980. Biotech Hobbyist Magazine was of limited success as my collaborator had more pressing biotech projects; new born infants. Natural Reality Superweed was an attempt to break the myth that you need a million dollar budget and a doctorate to do biotech. With 500 dollars raised by internet appeal and no biology education I constructed a GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) project in under 4 months. It was also an attempt to finally marry the concrete with the symbolic, which is where I believe lies the true excitement of biotechnology for artists.
I intend to gain further education in these fields by attending The 'Art of the Biotech Era' festival in Adelaide, Australia, where I am invited to show previous works and to speak at the symposium.
More importantly though, I will under go practical training at Experimental Art Foundation Biotech Art Workshop under the supervision of trained professionals, Oron Catts & Gary Cass from Symbiotica.
I then intend to use this knowledge to organise and participate in the DIY DNA DAY at The Cube Microplex and in the production of further art projects and events related to genetics. At DIY DNA DAY I intend to demonstrate human gene mapping, a technology only normally available to authorities and institutions, using toys and household appliances.
| Travel | 700.00 gbp |
| Materials | 100.00 gbp |
| Fees | 100.00 gbp |
| Publicity | 50.00 gbp |
| Other expenditure | 40.00 gbp |
| Total | 950.00 gbp |
I have a good understanding of the social, economic and political issues of art/ activism in biotechnology; I have a reasonable autodidactic education in genetics; but I have limited experience of practical process and procedure. Attending the short intensive practical course in biotech lab skills will be of great value to myself.
DIY DNA DAY will be given full promotional support by the The Cube Microplex: 2000+ monthly paper programme of events run, 5000+ weekly email programme of events mail-out and central Bristol poster promotion. The Cube Microplex will gain access to another community and economy by hosting DIY DNA DAY. Artists regionally and nationally will have the chance to develop a critical and economic network by attending DIY DNA DAY. Biotechnology is new media; most of the computer projects under the 'new media' banner in my opinion fall within established forms and practices. Biotech art is a new and open field for artists and should be developed. DIY DNA DAY will not only raise this issue, but should also give artists first hand experience of biotech art.
DIY DNA DAY will bypass theory inspired preparation and procrastination and go straight for practical participation. Doing it yourself is a highly regarded experiential form.
DIY DNA DAY will be promoted in a range of cultural communities from street to boardroom. This can only contribute to open diversity. DIY DNA DAY will be a medley of paradigm and style.
The Cube Microplex is always looking to develop long term context and commercial relationships with local and national communities. The Cube Microplex, as a state fund refuser, more than most arts organisations must always be developing not only itself but new and inspiring activities. This event should open some new doors.
Obviously, training of this kind will be an investment in my future events and projects. DIY DNA DAY is intended as a pilot event, that will lead onto further events and projects organised by myself and hopefully the individuals and groups which take part.
DIY DNA DAY will not only be for artists. I intend to invite local academics, activists and industry to the event. This mix will inevitably open opportunities for access to knowledge and resources for all participants, not just for the artists.
I intend to document both the individual participating projects and the resulting overall context of the event. I will also be soliciting post responses from participants in the form of reports and ideas for future projects and collaborations. These will be published on the event website.