The Arts & Genomics Centre and Leiden University Honours Programme
Art and the Life Sciences: Practices and Debates
Studio art and science crossover lab by Jennifer Willet
Every Friday, April 4-May 23, 2008
1pm-5pm
Art and the Life Sciences: Practices and Debates is an innovative course that will allow for students to engage theoretically and practically in the biological sciences from a fine art perspective. This course is a studio art and science crossover lab intended for students from various disciplines to foster interdisciplinary exploration of the intersections between art and life through hands-on laboratory protocols, critical readings, and the production of contemporary artwork.
Class 2007. VivoArts Art & Biology Studio by Adam Zaretsky. From left to right: bacteria painting, Adam Zaretsky teaching, DNA isolation, Embryology.
Together we will explore the ethical debates, issues of access and accountability, and overspecialization that arise from contemporary biotechnologies and BioArt practices. Lectures will address a range of topics including: biological sciences, historical crossovers between the fine arts and the hard sciences, and contemporary artists in the art/science field. Practical workshops will provide students with introductory experience with mammalian tissue culture, microscopy, DNA extraction and imaging, and genetic modification (amongst others) with an emphasis on health and safety and proper laboratory technique. Students will be expected to complete weekly readings, participate in class discussion and lab workshops, and produce individual and collaborative artworks and critical written texts.
Art and the Life Sciences: Practices and Debates is organized within the Leiden University Honours Programme and is an extracurricular course for excellent students.
Jennifer Willet is an internationally succesful artist, specializing in performance, installation, and reproductive (analogue/digital/biological) technologies.
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