Anker: Tissue Engineering and Bio-Printing (Catts and Mirinov)

From: Suzanne Anker
Date: Sun, 11 Mar 2007 14:42:54 -0500

To Oron's nameless "taxonomy of models" of artistic engagement with the life sciences, I would like to add a few others:

13. the moralist
14. the activist
15. the careerist
16. the "no talent" ist
17. the justifier
18. the didactic ist
19. the salvationist
20. the alarmist
21. the narcissist
22. the "wanna be" ist
23. the whore de culturist

With 23 pairs of human chromosomes in tow, I think I will stop here. To this Duchampean model of types, Oron brings into public view the very serious issues embedded in live laboratory practices. As phenomenological and sensorial experience, working with life forms in real time gives one pause about the complexity and fragility of living systems. And as Oron introduces else in his philosophical texts he brings attention to such concepts as the "semi-living" and "aesthetics of care." Tissue engineering, bio-printing and bio-scaffolding remain on the edge of the ways in which the body can be conceived of as harboring its own repair kit. At a time when the formerly abject (umbilical cords, circumcision tips, etc.) garner renewed value the future has arrived.

Additionally, I am interested in knowing more about laboratory practices as experienced by scientists and/or artist/researchers.

Vladimir, can you tell us more about the research you are engaged in? Where does the idea of bio-printing come from?

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