Cross-border pilot, Hyundai Motor Culture Center 2018 first interdisciplinary art public project kicked off in microbiology

For non-biological professionals, most of the knowledge we have learned is the result of authoritative certification. However, every day, new inventions and discoveries are constantly occurring, and they may soon be overthrown. Perhaps it will continue to evolve in the future and penetrate into every aspect of our daily lives.

Under such circumstances, the involvement of art in the subject is particularly exciting, because communication with each other is very likely to provoke results that both sides have not imagined, even though this result is seen in a short time, first of all an aesthetic. An art that is not practical enough.

On the other hand, art can use scientific results to convey to the audience in an aesthetic way. This transformation is not available in scientific research. The expressive power of art can create events and trigger a wider range of society. The attention of a new thing, or even other levels of thinking.

Eduardo Kac Green Fluorescent Rabbit

In 2000, with the help of scientists, Eduardo Kac created a new work, Green Fluorescent Rabbit, using GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein). Under normal circumstances, Abla is a white rabbit with red eyes and red eyes. In the environment of blue light, it will emit bright green light.

Abla was born in this special year of 2000. It coincides with the human panic of the millennium. It has aroused the uproar of public reaction, and both works and artists have been controversial. Most people don't know about GFP, and suddenly there is a rabbit that only fluoresces, which seems a bit disturbing. "I changed the code of life, and usually we think it is unmovable and will last forever," Katz said.

Wei Ying, a graduate of Fudan University's biology major, specializes in (pan) bio-art research. She is also an art curator and writer, researcher at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and a “Pan Bio Art Studio” (PBS). ) Founder. On May 12, 2018, Wei Ying, one of the guests, and Xu Weijing, co-founder of Dogma Lab, an artist, researcher and cross-media laboratory, hosted a microbe called "Kombucha as a future material" at the Hyundai Motor Culture Center. Art workshops, from the perspective of (pan) bio-arts, present multi-angle demonstrations and lead participants to experience the artistic extensibility of biomaterials.

"Kombucha as a future material" microbiology art workshop site

Previously, the “Art and Technology” project first proposed by the Central Academy of Fine Arts coincided with the concept of “Creative Energy” in the modern automobile culture center.

On the basis of a high degree of artistic research, the Hyundai Motor Culture Center is expected to jointly carry out multi-disciplinary and multimedia art research with the Central Academy of Fine Arts. Through international and multi-disciplinary art cooperation, we will draw more creative energy and inspiration. Many people have personally experienced the grand vision and strength of Hyundai Motor's “Working Together to Create a Better Future”.

The “Kombucha as a Future Material” workshop is the first event of the 2018 annual public project, the Art and Science Lab series, jointly launched by the Modern Steam Culture Center and the Center for Excellence in Innovation of the Central Academy of Fine Arts. In the lecture experiment, The two guests led the audience to experience the fusion of biology and art by cultivating kombucha fabrics and breeding microbial drawings, guiding the audience to explore unknown areas that can protect the natural ecology and develop a better future society, and conduct science, art, music and cars through activities. The cross-border experiment of the brand brings an unprecedented experience to art lovers.

"Cross-border" has existed since ancient times, and it is now frequently mentioned. In recent years, the rise of cross-border voices means that with the development of society and the fermentation of cultural atmosphere, practitioners undoubtedly have a new pursuit of a more open perspective and a more creative way of thinking.

Breaking the barriers in various disciplines of modern society and strengthening the exchanges between the various circles can inspire more creativity. For Hyundai Motor, the brand's cultural center is a professional and comprehensive cultural platform, and is leading the way to find more possibilities for cross-border integration.

Kombucha being cultivated

Source of legend: Xu Weijing, co-founder of Dogma Lab, artist and cross-media lab

In the early lectures of the workshop, Katz's fluorescent rabbits were re-mentioned as a classic case in the history of biological art. From any perspective of biology or artistic creation, there is the possibility of moving forward to each other. Inspire new sparks of creation.

Culture process of kombucha

Source of legend: Xu Weijing, co-founder of Dogma Lab, artist and cross-media lab

Wei Ying tends to think in terms of “pan-bio art”, that is, using biological concepts or biological materials and techniques to create. She believes that “pan-bio art” is more extensive than “bio-art”.

Wei Ying at the site of the "Kombucha as a future material" microbiology art workshop

"In the current Chinese context, there are still certain thresholds for the creation of biological art in the strict sense. But 'Pan Bio Art' is relatively easy. For example, the subject matter of the work involves genetically modified technology, and it is discussed. The impact of society is much simpler than creating works directly using GM technology, but it also involves biological subjects, which is also new to the art world."

Speaking of more possibilities of pan-bio art, Wei Ying said: "In a sense, science changes people as much as religion, which will become more and more profound in the future. My current feeling is that in China. Many biological sciences have little impact on individuals, but once the technology is mature and the cost is reduced, the concept will be more practical. Art is not science, but its thought-provoking discussion makes sense to society. In the lecture, Wei Ying from the perspective of "dishware as a canvas", "sociality of sample source" and "smart microbe", with specific cases linked to the development of pan-bio art.

Wei Ying at the site of the "Kombucha as a future material" microbiology art workshop

For students who are different from biological science and technology workers, the problems that artists face in the future are based on the imagination and deep thinking of the future. The creation of biological artists is based on science and logic, thinking about the future of the pioneer. These thoughts are not based on utilitarianism, and more consideration is given to their philosophical and thought-provoking ideas.

In the lecture, Xu Weijing first introduced the mycelial materials, from the development of mycelium products, as a temperature insulation material and building materials, and even in the future food, and experimented with the natural materials in different ways. The reaction under the environment. The film of Kombucha resembles the jellyfish's skin and is called “Haibao”. It is a biofilm. Suzanne Lee, a designer at Yangsheng Martin College, uses organic vinegar, sugar, kombucha and green tea to “plant” An organic jacket.

Left: Xu Weijing; Right: Wei Ying; "Kombucha as a future material" microbial art workshop site

During the afternoon of the event, participants and artists interacted on the spot to learn how to cultivate kombucha. These cultured Kombucha will grow and dry in a month to produce environmentally friendly materials. Participants will also come to the Hyundai Motor Culture Center on June 23 to participate in and witness the completion of the final work, and to harvest their own environmental “fruits”, so stay tuned.

Xu Weijing

Bio-art is a new form of art. The foundation it displays is to create new life. The premise that all biological art is to achieve is based on contemporary biotechnology. In the long river of human civilization, we humans constantly imagine all kinds of creatures, and with the art of biology, it will undoubtedly add rich possibilities to our common future.

Workshop site

In 2018, the Hyundai Motor Culture Center will launch a series of interdisciplinary public art projects, trying to draw a blend of knowledge from different fields and lead the public to experience the infinite possibilities of artistic creation. Please pay attention to the official WeChat public platform of the Modern Automobile Culture Center to participate in this exciting cross-border art experience of the year!

Responsible Editor: Business Internship