Title of lecture: "MANIPULATION OF THE LIVING AND (BIO) ART"

The lecture will be contributed to contemporary research art, which links to natural sciences, especially (micro)biological. The so-called Bio Art is related to the growing importance of biotechnology in contemporary society. At the end of the eighties of the twentieth century a biotech discourse has been introduced into the field of art. If in the nineties the basis was a relation to computer culture and genetics, after 2000 Bio Art has oriented itself in direct manipulation with living and has started to produce the so-called wet works. Contemporary art reflects of current social, anthropological and philosophical questions and is becoming significantly discoursive. As a form of contemporary research art Bio Art is characteristically interdisciplinary – artists cooperate with natural scientists, but they also work in laboratories and use specific biotech tools and knowledge. Within the lecture some projects of the Bio Art protagonists will also be presented.

SHORT BIO:

Polona Tratnik, PhD, (born in 1976, lives in Ljubljana, Slovenia), is an assistant professor for philosophy of culture at the University of Primorska, Faculty of Humanities Koper and a member of ZRS UP. In 2007 she graduated in University of Primorska, Faculty of Humanities Koper, with a doctorate in philosophy and theory of visual culture (doctorate title:"The End of Art - from Hegel to Danto"). In 2001 she got her Master's degree in art theory and sculpture on Academy for Fine Arts in Ljubljana, where she also graduated from painting in 1999. She is a secretary of Slovenian Society of Aesthetics (since 2005) and a member of an executive committee (since 2001) and an active member (from 2000). From the nineties she organizes various cultural events (symposiums, lectures, exhibtions, festival Break 2.3), and works as an editor (Monitor, Horizonti, Likovne besede, Prostori umetnosti), a researcher, a curator, an art critic, a writer, a dramatist etc.

She is an internationally recognizable artist and one of the world-pioneers, working in the sphere of biotechnological art. She participated at some major Bio Art shows, among others: Vit<a>rti , Antwerpen, Belgium 2007, In Vivo in Vitro , Athens, Greece 2006, BEAP Bio Difference , Perth, Australia 2004, L'Art Biotech, Nantes, France 2003 etc.

Her projects are mainly concerning human body (Unique, Hair ,In(threat)timity, In-Time, Micro cosmos, Private bowls, 37°C). In the processual installations there are living elements as human skin cells, micro-organisms, hair and similar incorporated. For her work she has received some reputable awards: Bartol award UP FHŠ for doctorate, Golden Bird 2005 (for her work in the sphere of visual art as an artist, curator and art director); Prešernova award (for painting, 2000), Rotary Club award (for sculpture, 2001); an award for short prose Spletno Pero (2006) and a Preglej award (2007) for her drama The Waiting Room.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Website: www.ars-tratnik.si