Undergraduate Units

Aesthetic Crossovers in Art and Science VISA2214________________________________
Running Semester 2, 2008 (28 July - 15 November) Enrol now!

A practical and theoretical investigation, through critical engagement, of the nexus and differences of the art and sciences cultures by the use of the technologies of life sciences and biotechnology as an art form.

Themes explored will include the culture of the artist and scientist; the sole genius versus the lab team; creative thinking and the system of hypothesis, control and experimentation; history and philosophy of science; genohype and examples of art and science collaborations in art history. Field days to observe where art and science cross over will be included and practical skills of the laboratory will be learnt resulting in an art project or prototype.

http://handbooks.uwa.edu.au/units/visa/visa2214

The ACCESS UWA program offers entrance to UWA units without the commitment of a degree or the pressures of assessment (through the Audit program).
There are no entrance requirements for ACCESS UWA students.
For more information:
http://www.extension.uwa.edu.au/access/index.shtml

Margaret Heenan, "Feed Me" human skin grafted onto aloe vera, 2002.

Art and Life Manipulation VISA2249_____________________________ 
Running Semester 2, 2009 (20 July- 6 November) 

Introduces students to issues, concepts and techniques relating to contemporary arts practices dealing with the manipulation of living forms.  Emphasis is placed on developing critical thought, ethical issues and cross-disciplinary experimentation in art (art/science collaborations, art as research). Students are introduced to biological lab practices and techniques and are expected to get their hands wet.  Cultural issues such as gene patenting, ownership of living systems, issues of partial life, population diversity, new reproductive technologies, modifying bodies, nature/culture boundaries, emerging perceptions of life are researched and discussed. In particular, the ethics of living art and/or science production will be debated.

http://handbooks.uwa.edu.au/units/visa/visa2249

This course was originally titled VIVOARTS and was established by Adam Zaretsky and Oron Catts in 2002.